A FORMER mayor has pledged to make sure an ancient bridge which suffered a partial collapse is painstakingly repaired until it is as 'good as new' - if he is re-elected.

Cllr Alan Amos said one of his core election pledges was to make sure Powick Old Bridge was restored to its former glory as soon as possible after a partial collapse earlier in the year.

The grade I listed bridge, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, was the scene of the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642, the opening skirmish of the English Civil War, and also featured heavily in its last decisive engagement, the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651.

Worcester News: FLOODS: Powick Old Bridge pictured on Good Friday with flood water completely submerging the archways FLOODS: Powick Old Bridge pictured on Good Friday with flood water completely submerging the archways (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

However, the wingwall suffered a partial collapse which some have blamed on driftwood and other debris swept down the River Teme by flood water.  

Cllr Amos, a conservative for Bedwardine, said he had spoken to many people on the doorstep who were concerned about the fate and future of the medieval bridge after it suffered a partial collapse at the end of January following successive storms.

"It's one of my priorities and lies in my division and it affects my local community. It's a historic monument. I have always had a fascination with history. It means a lot to me. 

Worcester News: CONCERN: Daniel Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, has raised concerns about further damage to Powick Old Bridge which forms an integral part of Worcester's (and England's) Civil War heritage CONCERN: Daniel Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, has raised concerns about further damage to Powick Old Bridge which forms an integral part of Worcester's (and England's) Civil War heritage (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"It is absolutely one of my three top priorities to get it repaired and reopened at the earliest possible opportunity. I'm confident it will be done. I'm leading the campaign to ensure that it's reopened as soon as possible, without any delay. That is a pledge. If I say I'm going to do something, I tend to do it," he said.

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He explained that the flood waters which had left the archways submerged had hampered any work taking place at the bridge.

"It's a historical site and we need to preserve it. It's going to have to be repaired until it is as good as new. It will last for centuries more," he said.

Cllr Amos said the city had been left with 'a hideously ugly legacy of glass and steel buildings' and that, in the past, the city council had 'destroyed its own city', making it all the more important to protect the surviving historical fabric, including Powick Old Bridge. 

The battle lines have also been drawn over whether the Environment Agency's removal of a weir to help migrating fish added to the piles of driftwood crashing against the bridge and contributed to the partial collapse of the wing wall, something the EA strongly disputes.