Councillors to discuss future of historic bridge

Councillors are set to discuss the restoration of Powick Old Bridge at the first city council meeting after the general election.

Members are concerned about the historic bridge, which was the site of the first and last battles of the English Civil War.

The bridge has been closed since the end of January when it suffered a partial collapse.

A large hole has since opened up, with Worcestershire County Council mindful of both the bridge’s historical significance and the flood risk as the authority gets ready to carry out repairs.

The county council has said it will install a temporary working platform and that the bridge will remain closed until its work is done.

"This platform will protect the damaged section from losing more material, it will prevent water from entering the arch so that work can take place, and if the river does flood water will be diverted over the top of the platform,” said the county council’s Jon Fraser.

City councillors, who meet next Tuesday (July 9), will discuss a motion calling for the city council to work with the county council, Malvern Hills District Council, the Environment Agency, landowners, The Battle of Worcester Society, Historic England, local MPs and others to discuss the future of the bridge.

This includes its restoration and “how the area can become a visitor attraction for future generations”.

The motion put forward by councillors Richard Udall, Sue Smith, Jenny Barnes and Alan Amos says of the bridge: “It's of significant national and local historical importance and its continued closure after a partial collapse is very disturbing.

“The collapsed part of the bridge is located in Malvern Hills District but it is right on the boundary with Worcester and this whole site is prized in Worcester as part of our cultural heritage.

“It's of significant national and local historical importance and its continued closure after a partial collapse is very disturbing.”

They want officers to “explore ways in which the city council can co-ordinate and support the restoration” and to “explore the future use of the site”.