Staffordshire County Council has submitted the historic Chetwynd Bridge for consideration under government’s new Structures Fund.
The fund is designed to help councils repair and replace key structures in their areas.
The Grade II* listed bridge near Alrewas is a critical gateway to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) and an important route for visitors, residents and local communities.
With endorsements from both local MPs, the NMA and nearby Catton Park, plus a fully costed business case and design, the county council is hopeful of a successful bid.
If successful, the bid would see a brand-new bridge built near the current structure, with Chetwynd Bridge itself retained as a footbridge.
At an estimated cost of £46 million, the county council would contribute £6 million should be bid be successful.
The new design ensures a key route connecting the Alrewas/A38 corridor with Tamworth can be maintained, which is a critical gateway to businesses and an important route for visitors, residents and local communities.
The existing bridge is currently under weight and width restrictions to preserve it. Officers have warned that should the bid be unsuccessful, there is a real possibility that the bridge would have to close.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for Strategic Highways, said:
“We have full confidence in our bid for Chetwynd Bridge, which is backed by a strong case, detailed feasibility work and support from both local MPs and major attractions such as the National Memorial Arboretum.
“This is a nationally significant heritage structure and a vital route for one of the country’s most important places of remembrance. Securing this funding would help protect the bridge for the future, as well as maintaining a key route for businesses and communities that supports the wider local and regional economy.
“If unsuccessful, we would have to look at other options, including having to close the bridge permanently due to the continuing degradation of the structure exacerbated by the amount of vehicles we are seeing not respecting the weight and width restrictions in place.”
While welcoming the new funding opportunity, the county council also reiterated its calls for a national long-term fund for structures.
Peter continued:
“We have more than 500 structures in Staffordshire that are over 100 years old. We need to ensure we manage and mitigate the current risks and seek the necessary support to address these before they become an issue. This all comes at a cost, and under current funding levels it would take more than 500 years to repair them all.
“So, while we have submitted Chetwynd Bridge to this fund and believe we have made a compelling case, we will continue to lobby government to properly fund our roads and structures.”
The Department for Transport is likely to announce successful bids sometime in the Autumn. If successful, the new structure would open in late 2029.
