Meeting quells 'nasty rumours' about bridge

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Saturday 28th Jan 2006.

A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the proposed closure of the tannery bridge in Downton packed the village's Memorial Hall on Friday and left some residents fuming on the pavement because fire regulations restricted numbers inside to 200.

The meeting had been called to scotch what Wiltshire county councillor Julian Johnson, who chaired the meeting, described as "nasty rumours scudding around" about the implications of the closure.

He said it was important to present the facts as far as they were known and keep everyone in the picture.

David Weston, principal bridge engineer with WCC, explained that the tannery bridge was one of the few in the county that did not meet current loading standards allowing for the carriage of 44-tonne, six-axle lorries.

A survey of the 11-span bridge, constructed originally in 1944, had found it to be substandard and in need of either repair or replacement.

Steve Rhodes, principal bridge engineer with engineering consultants Mouchel Parkman, detailed the findings of the most recent survey in 2004, which showed deterioration and rusting, crumbling concrete, vertical cracking in the piers and a longitudinal crack in the highway.

"The bridge is coming to the end of its life," he said, "and we can't wait for it to become compromised before we take action." He said that any course of action had to take into account the river's ecology and a study was currently being undertaken by the environment agency.

Other issues of importance included flood threat, disruption to Downton residents and businesses, safe passage of emergency vehicles, conservation concerns, diversion of services like gas and electricity, and cost.

He outlined the options that had been considered and said that of the three preferred options, each would mean disruption of up to five months.

A fourth option total replacement would cause major disruption for much longer and would only be considered if the other three proved unworkable.

He said that although periods of total closure would be necessary, every effort would be made to keep them to a minimum and the aim would be to maintain single-lane running for most of the duration.

A pedestrian route would be provided, but parking and public transport issues had yet to be resolved.

The results of a hydraulic study were expected by the end of June, tenders would be sought in October and the work carried out between May and October next year.

Many residents had tabled questions before the meeting and Mr Weston said that they hoped most of them had been answered during the presentation.

Several further points were raised from the floor, including one from Redlynch parish councillor Graham Goodyear who pointed out that fire engines and other emergency vehicles would have a long diversionary route in the event of total closure.

"We can't have a situation where emergency services can't get through, he said."

His concern was noted and Mr Weston said that he and his colleagues would be happy to try to answer any questions as they arose over the coming months.

Mr Johnson proposed that a further meeting should be held in October or November in a venue big enough to accommodate all who wished to attend.

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