Over the years the bridge has had ongoing repairs and maintenance, particularly on the modern sections. Last year, major work costing £1.472m took place to protect the bridge foundations against erosion of the river bed around the piers.
The bridge now needs more significant work on it to keep it available and safe for everyone who wants to use it. Detailed inspections of the bridge confirm that the old masonry arch structure is in a satisfactory condition, there has been significant deterioration in the condition of the concrete sections of the bridge and many of the previous concrete repairs have now failed.
The 2002, strength assessment of the bridge found that although the masonry arch elements of the structure are adequate to carry full loading, the modern concrete widened sections are not. Because of the restricted road width available across the bridge, lorries occasionally mount the pavement and it has become necessary to impose a 3 tonne weight limit on the bridge. An exemption was granted to local buses on the condition that drivers were made aware of the problem and would not mount the footway.
As the bridge is in need of substantial repair works - particularly to the reinforced concrete sections - there will soon be the question of public safety. For that reason, doing nothing is not an option.
However, simply 'patching up' the bridge is not a practical option. This is because repairs to the defective areas of concrete would not last for more than 20 years at most and given the current condition of the concrete, the extensive repairs would be expensive and ineffective within a relatively short time.
Consequently, over the life of the bridge the repair costs would probably be considered higher than a major refurbishment of the bridge. Even with such repairs, Bideford would still be left with a weak bridge. Strengthening the bridge in the ways suggested is a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity.
The chosen solution will require a significant investment, and consequently it would be beneficial if the following objectives could be incorporated:-
*As the bridge is a Grade 1 listed structure, listed building consent from the Secretary of the State must be obtained before undertaking any work on the bridge. Given the bridge's historical significance any work will need to be undertaken in a sensitive manner and in close consultation with English Heritage
The existing reinforced concrete widening scheme constructed in 1925 would be removed but following consultations with English Heritage, it is not considered appropriate to attempt to widen the existing roadway and footways as the additional overhang throws more of the original bridge into shadow and would also make the bridge look top heavy. Also, it does not have the advantage of separating pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles.
The bridge would be strengthened using a combination of modern steel and concrete materials with the intention to achieve a similar appearance to the existing structure, and a strengthened masonry parapet would be constructed along the edge of the bridge.
New lighting would be installed on the bridge to provide a higher standard of illumination and to emphasise the historic arch structure at night.
Despite a significant investment, most of the objectives would not have been met, and the possibility of revealing and enhancing the original form of the bridge would have been missed.
Reconstruction Proposal - Strengthen the existing bridge, keeping appearance as at present
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