Bridges in Brockenhurst, Cadnam and Fordingbridge named in RAC Foundation report as substandard and unfit for heaviest vehicles
THREE bridges in the New Forest are in substandard condition for heavy vehicles, research has revealed.
The structures at Brockenhurst, Cadnam and Fordingbridge are among 20 in Hampshire described in an RAC Foundation report as unfit for the heaviest vehicles.
It found that one in every 25 bridges in Britain is unable to carry the heaviest vehicles.
The research surveyed all 208 local authorities responsible for highways in England.
It revealed that 2,928 of the 73,208 bridges were “substandard,” meaning they could not carry the largest 44-tonne lorries allowed on the roads.
Many are subject to weight restrictions, while others are under programmes of increased monitoring or even managed decline.
The research includes bridges ranging from major structures across estuaries to stretches of road at least 5ft (1.5m) in length spanning culverts carrying water under carriageways.
In Hampshire, 20 out of 1,337 bridges maintained by Hampshire County Council are considered substandard.
The county council said that some of the bridges are historic or located on “very minor rural roads” that are already inaccessible to 44-tonne vehicles.
“Those that are accessible already have clear restriction signage in place or are in the process of having this erected”, the council said, and pointed out that despite the weight limit they ”all are considered safe for normal traffic use”.
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “This data should not be used as a stick to beat highway authorities with.
“While on the one hand, it looks like councils are holding their own in keeping their road networks functioning, with every year which passes we are seeing the challenge of maintaining climate resilience increase in the face of more extreme weather.
“The real danger lies in the change in climate – more temperature extremes and more wind, rain, snow and ice put are putting an ever-greater strain on the foundations of our roads and the structures that carry them.”
The 20 “substandard” bridges in Hampshire:
Cadmans Green, Cadnam (New Forest)
Rhinefield No.2, near Brockenhurst (New Forest)
Damerham Church Path No.2, near Fordingbridge
Froyle Mill – Froyle near Alton (East Hampshire)
Church – Upper Clatford, near Andover (Test Valley)
Herony, near Hurstbourne Priors (Basingstoke and Deane)
Test, Whitchurch (Basingstoke and Deane)
Beaurepaire Mill, near Bramley (Basingstoke and Deane)
Malthouse, Crookham Village (Hart)
St Clairs, near Soberton Heath (Winchester)
Bramshott Mill, near Liphook (East Hampshire)
Kingfisher, near Colden Common (Winchester)
Ovington Mill, Ovington (Winchester)
Cuts Arch, Soberton (Winchester)
Weardale Road, Eastleigh
Longwater, near Fareham (Winchester)
Longstock Brick No.1, near Stockbridge (Test Valley)
Brook Farm, near Romsey (Test Valley)
North Warnborough Lift Bridge, north Warnborough (Hart)
Brook Green, near Tadley (Basingstoke and Deane)
