Bridges

How do I report damage to a bridge?

To report damage to a bridge, please contact streetscene on 01432 261800 or email streets@herefordshire.gov.uk with accurate details of the location of the bridge, including road name, road number or local landmark, and the type of damage.

Bridge maintenance

Amey Herefordshire maintain 697 highway bridges across Herefordshire including 55 designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Grade 2* Listed or Grade 2 Listed. The construction material of the bridges is as follows: 70% are masonry or brick arches, 25% are concrete and 5% metal. These bridges have been valued at over £100m.

Bridge inspections

To ensure safety for the public each bridge is inspected at least every two years in accordance with national standards. The inspections are enhanced, where appropriate, by specialist contractors and equipment that ensures that reliable and accurate data is gained on the condition of the bridges.

The majority of the inspections are designed to identify maintenance works. Typically there is maintenance work to approximately 10% of the bridges each year. Works are programmed to minimise disruption to highway traffic.

Where a bridge has been damaged through, say a road traffic accident, it is inspected to ensure that the bridge is safe for use by traffic. Traffic management or perhaps a full road closure is only installed where there are concerns for public safety. Repairs are programmed to allow a safe removal of any safety restrictions at the earliest possible date.