HISTORY enthusiasts visited a partially collapsed medieval bridge to see first hand how repairs are going.

The meeting today was held at Powick Old Bridge as heritage champions had the chance to have a look at the ongoing restoration work at the structure which suffered a partial collapse in January.

The event invited representatives from the Worcester Civic Society and the Battle of Worcester Society 'to witness the strides being made in this historically significant project'.

They also had the chance to meet with the council and its contractors, Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd and Jacobs. The bridge is considered an integral part of Worcester's Civil War History as the site of its opening skirmish, the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642 and also played a role in the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. 

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “It’s a pleasure to have historical groups on site today. We’re excited to share our current progress and to highlight our commitment to ensuring that this bridge continues to be a cornerstone of our city’s rich history.”

Phil Douce, Chair of Worcester Civic Society, said: "Today's site visit was very useful in helping the Worcester Civic Society understand this critical first stage of preparatory works before the main repairs begin at Powick Old Bridge next year. 

"Given the bridge's status as a Scheduled Monument we'll be keeping in regular contact with Worcestershire County Council and have an open invitation to liaise with the Principal Contractors as needed. We'll post regular updates on our "Friends of Powick Old Bridge" Facebook page that the Civic Society has recently set-up." 

Daniel Daniels, Chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society said:  "We appreciated Worcestershire County Council's positive response to the Society's request to view the progress on Powick Bridge restoration with a tour.

"It is very encouraging to see real advancements in this important work and witness the dedication of the staff on site.

"In due course we are keen to understand what preventative measures will be implemented to avoid future blockages, as well as the role of the Environment Agency in minimising the fairly regular accumulation of debris.  While the council is doing commendable work on the current restoration, we remain eager to learn about the long-term strategies to prevent these issues from recurring."

Despite recent flooding, inspections have confirmed that the bridge has not experienced any further degradation.

As the restoration continues, a crane has already actively positioning bags of stone ballast into the riverbed, establishing a vital dry working area essential for the long-term repair of this treasured monument. In recent weeks, a Spider Excavator has worked to recover collapsed materials from the river, ensuring that progress remains steady.

The ballast wall aims to safeguard the damaged wing wall from further deterioration while allowing for a thorough inspection of the arch and abutment. This protective measure will not only prevent additional loss of materials but also provide crucial support to the entire structure, paving the way for future repairs.

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With the ballast wall in place, crews will now be able to work on the arch without the threat of water intrusion, and should flooding occur, water will be effectively diverted over the top.

This restoration effort also aims to reclaim a portion of the original stonework from the riverbed. While the wing wall will need to be entirely rebuilt, the team is dedicated to using as much of the original stone and brick as possible to maintain historical integrity.

The next critical phase of the project is to undertake a ground investigation. This step will take place before the installation of a temporary support frame, scheduled for November.

Following these temporary works, detailed plans for a permanent reconstruction will be developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Historic England, with additional approvals required before the final phase of work commences next year.