From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, August 22, 2008

REPAIR work on the Bideford Longbridge will get underway on Monday 22 September.

Devon County Council has awarded the contract for concrete repairs and cathodic protection to the Grade One listed structure, to Concrete Repairs Ltd of Bristol.

The £2.1 million scheme is expected to take 10 months to complete and involves carrying out extensive repairs to the concrete beams supporting the footways on each side, together with the installation of cathodic protection which will considerably extend the life of the repairs. This technique applies a small electrical current into the concrete to stop the corrosion of the steel reinforcement.

Discussions with English Heritage are underway on the submission of a listed building consent application to renew the under bridge flood lighting and also to replace the existing lamp columns mounted on the bridge, with columns designed to be more in keeping with the listed status of the bridge.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "It's heartening to see the start of this work. I applaud the effort that has gone into this scheme before it has even started. A lot of investigation, planning and consultation has gone into ensuring the best way forward for this project. This ancient and historic bridge is at the heart of Bideford's cultural heritage and these repairs are vital in preserving, and to maintain the direct link between East-the-Water and the town centre."

Councillor Hugo Barton, Devon County Councillor for Bideford East, said: "I'm pleased that the repairs will be getting underway. The Bideford Longbridge is of historic importance so it must be preserved for the town and its future generations, and this scheme offers the most cost-effective solution to achieve that for the long term."

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, Devon County Council Executive Member for Regeneration, Strategic Planning and Regional Affairs and County Councillor for Bideford South and Hartland, said: "I'm sure the whole town will be pleased to know that these repairs are due to start. Every effort is being made to minimise the impact on traffic flow and the local economy while the work is carried out and it will be a great relief when it's complete."

To keep traffic disruption to a minimum, repairs will be undertaken primarily from access scaffolding erected next to the bridge in the River Torridge. Restrictions to traffic on the bridge will not be permitted at peak times (7am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm). Outside of these hours the contractor will need to be able to operate traffic management for short periods to enable essential light equipment and materials to be offloaded and moved.

Disruption to the existing footways is unavoidable, and sections will need to be closed off during some of the work. However, a safe route for pedestrians will be provided at all times and measures to provide safe crossing points will be developed as the scheme progresses.

Later in the contract there will be a need to carry out several periods of night working to complete resurfacing works on the bridge itself. These will be planned in advance and well publicised.

Bideford Longbridge was originally a timber bridge first constructed in the 13th century and was replaced by a masonry arch bridge in 1474. The bridge has been widened a number of times since then but the last widening was carried out in the 1920s. It was at this time that the existing reinforced concrete sections that carry the footpaths were added. Some further modifications were carried out in the 1970s after the partial collapse of the west end of the bridge in 1968. It is the reinforced concrete sections of the bridge that have badly deteriorated and are now in need of repair.

The scheme will preserve and maintain the current form of the Longbridge for at least 60 years. The three tonne weight restriction will remain in place, as it has since 2002.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Councillor Hugo Barton, 01805 624768.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, 07966 411654.