A HERITAGE champion is calling for urgent action to repair a crumbling mediaeval bridge now river levels have dropped before the first storms sweep in during the autumn.

Urgent work to repair Powick Old Bridge has yet to start although water levels at the River Teme have now dipped, one of the issues said to be holding back repairs after a series of floods last winter. During floods the archways were completely submerged, making repairs impossible.

As previously reported, the bridge suffered a partial collapse on January 31 and a hole opened up in the surface at one side of the bridge which played a pivotal role in both the opening skirmish of and last battle of the English Civil War, the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642 and the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651.

HOLE: The hole in Powick Old Bridge HOLE: The hole in Powick Old Bridge (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Paul Harding of Discover History said: "The last I heard was a plan was being looked at. Sadly, the autumn storms will start rolling in soon.

"That leaves a window of about 3-4 months. The river levels will then become unpredictable. Our heritage is not a political tool, and now everyone seems to have stopped pointing fingers, work needs to be done.

"Visitors on our recent Battlefield Tours are shocked when we express how long it's been like this. We just tell the truth that several organisations are involved and everyone seems to be blaming the other. Nothing has been done, and no updates have been shared. Our Battlefield Tours cross the bridge usually to talk about both the 1642 skirmish and the Battle in 1651."

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Jon Fraser, from Worcestershire County Council, speaking last month, said: “ We are extremely mindful of the significance of the bridge, and we are determined to treat the structure with the care and attention that such a key historic structure deserves.

"We are waiting for the temporary works design to be finalised. Once this is ready, a temporary working platform will be installed.  

"This platform will protect the damaged section from losing more material, it will prevent water from entering the arch so that work can take place, and if the river does flood water will be diverted over the top of the platform. This approach will also lead to a large proportion of the original stonework being reclaimed.

"We are continuing to monitor the bridge, the hole has occurred because there is currently no support underneath this section. The bridge will remain closed until the works to repair it have been carried out.”