Kepax Bridge 'on time' as new subcontractor appointed

The city's newest bridge, Kepax Bridge, hangs unfinished over the River Severn in Barbourne, while its oldest bridge at Powick has now developed a large hole with its fate hanging in the balance. 

Tony and Kathy Westcott of Waterworks Road likened the incomplete Kepax Bridge to a 'diving platform' and joked that they kept on expecting Tom Daly to turn up and try it out.

However, Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, and the candidate seeking to become Worcester's next Conservative MP, said a new subcontractor had now been appointed.

He has been told the bridge will be finished on time - and he is determined to be there when it opens.

NEW: Kepax Bridge stands as yet unfinished over the River Severn - picture taken June 11, 2024 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Bayliss said he had been able to share positive news with residents asking about progress on the bridge.

He said: "I can confirm that there has been continued activity on the site, although this has been concentrated on various works on the west side of the river, where the contractor has been working on the connection of the link from the bridge to Horsford Road.

"In respect of the remaining work, I am pleased to confirm that the main contractor for the project has now appointed a new specialist subcontractor.

"Welding of steel sections of the bridge are likely to recommence next week, with a pontoon due to arrive in the river and cranes arriving on site towards the end of June, with lifting of the remaining bridge sections into place taking place during the summer.

POSITIVE: Marc Bayliss, the candidate to become Worcester's next Conservative MP, on a previous visit to Kepax Bridge (Image: Supplied)

"I’m further pleased to advise that we are still anticipating completion of the bridge construction works and landscaping of the site by the end of 2024.

"We can never promise 100 per cent of course due to the flooding risks of working so close to the river, however the recent change of specialist subcontractor has not impacted upon the proposed completion date."

Subcontractors, SH Structures, went into administration in April, leaving the main contractor, Alun Griffiths, to appoint a new one.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The council’s contractor, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, has appointed a new sub-contractor to undertake the remaining steel work. Work continued on the west side of the river while the new sub-contractor was being appointed and the bridge is still scheduled to open to the public by the end of the year.”

Tony Westcott, 77, and wife Kathy, 75, live on Waterworks Road, next to what she called the 'bridge to nowhere'.

Mr Westcott said: "The bridge looks like a diving platform. We're waiting for Tom Daly to come and do some diving."

She thought the money would be better spent on 'other things' including dredging the river or investing in flood defences especially as they already had bridges across the river including Sabrina Bridge, Diglis Bridge and the main bridge.

"Do we really need another bridge? It goes over to Hallow tip. It's all for cyclists and walkers," she said.

HOLE: A hole has now opened in the already partially collapsed Powick Old Bridge (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

When it floods she said the couple could not get out of the house and the water was so high it even went over her husband's waders.

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Mel Allcott, fighting to become the next Liberal Democrat MP for Worcester, said: "Kepax Bridge, whether one approves or not, what we cannot have, is half a bridge.  The more time goes on the more the cost to the taxpayer.  

"Powick Bridge, of such major historic importance, why is this not being prioritised?  I have been in touch with Cllr Wells and I know Cllr Amos has raised, yet we are now faced with a hole."

The city's oldest bridge - Powick Old Bridge - has yet to be repaired after it suffered a partial collapse at the end of January and a hole opened up in the bridge which dates from the Middle Ages and played an integral role in both the first and last battles of the English Civil War, the Battle of Powick Bridge in 1642 and the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Cllr Bayliss said: "I'm very committed to doing what we can to restore the bridge. This bridge is of huge cultural significance to Worcester and I recognise that. I want to see it restored and I understand just how important it is."