Powick Old Bridge repair: 'quicker to have baby' says Udall

Cllr Richard Udall criticised the time taken to begin repairs to Powick Old Bridge near Worcester as work begins this month at the partially collapsed structure, blaming 'political dithering' for the delay.

A popular route for cyclists and pedestrians, the closed bridge is considered by heritage champions to be an integral part of the county's  English Civil War history.

FLOODS: Powick Old Bridge during floods (Image: Newsquest)

It was the site of the opening skirmish of the war, the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642 and also played a role in its final engagement, the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651.

However, after a series of Met Office yellow weather warnings and an amber warning for Thursday into Friday, Cllr Udall has spoken of his mounting concern for the bridge's future which has been battered by floods and driftwood since its partial collapse in January.

CLOSED: Powick Old Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

In a scathing Tweet on the social media platform X, Cllr Udall wrote: "Nine months too late and just in time for the winter floods. It’s quicker to have a baby in Worcestershire than it is for the county council to repair a bridge!"

The St John's Labour city and county councillor, later added: “Its really frustrating, the bridge collapsed in January, we appear to have wasted nine months doing nothing, in that time the condition of the bridge has got worse, with further problems and collapses.

"Political dithering and lack of urgency have delayed progress, which could now potentially cost the taxpayer even more money.

"The wet weather of the past few days are clearly indicative of autumn and winter floods, which will no doubt cause further delays and more pressure on the bridge, risking much more damage.

COLLAPSE: Powick Old Bridge pictured in July (Image: Newsquest)

"The county council and the Environment Agency wasted time blaming each other, when they should have been concentration on repairs.

"We have lost valuable time and are now risking further damage to the historic bridge, its sheer incompetence, neglect and inexcusable delay. Worcestershire deserves better.

“I want the council to convert the area into a Country Park, which will protect the future of the bridge, commemorate the battles which took place, building on new opportunities to support and protect wildlife, improve water quality, honour the heritage and provide new opportunities for leisure and recreation.

"However, the current council policy appears to be more dither and delay. There appears to be no planning, no coordination and little awareness of the importance of the site, our heritage is being neglected."

A crane is now on site lifting bags of stone (ballast) into the riverbed to create a dry working area at Powick Old Bridge, a key component in the long term repair of the historic monument.

Bags of stone placed together to form a ballast wall will safeguard the collapsed area of the wingwall from further damage, and allow the arch and abutment to be inspected further.

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Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council, said: "We know how important this bridge is to the city and its communities, and we are continuing to work closely with our partners at the Environment Agency and Historic England to ensure the bridge is restored and can continue to tell the city’s historical story.”