Teen crash highlights need for bridge that's 'fit for purpose' says councillor

Thirteen year old Ryan Robins is understood to have been clipped by a car’s wing mirror while preparing to cross Holt Fleet Bridge and remains in hospital with a fractured skull and bruising to the brain.

Councillor Peter Tomlinson wished the boy a “speedy recovery” but said he felt the crash highlights why action needs to be taken to ensure the bridge is safer for motorists and pedestrians.

The police shared a dramatic image across social media of an air ambulance making a tricky take off from the bridge over the River Severn following the incident on Sunday.

“It’s a very narrow bridge, with a narrow pavement,” said Cllr Tomlinson, who represents Ombersley division, which includes Holt.

He said “the traffic gets busy whether it’s the morning or evening” on the bridge in question, as well as the large number of similar bridges which span the river in the county, making them dangerous for pedestrians.

“There are many people campaigning for a relief road that would take so much traffic off that bridge,” he continued.

He said whether or not a relief road comes to fruition, the incident is a “great reason to take positive steps” in the area to divert congestion away from the bridge.

“It does point up the need for serious action about getting a road bridge that is fit for purpose over the Severn,” he added.

Writing on Facebook, Colleen Williams said the A4133 leading up to the bridge, past The Holt Fleet pub, is “bad for people walking” and is “such a fast and winding road in places with blind spots.”

She said vehicles with extended wing mirrors “often overhang pathways” even on wider footpaths.

Marcus Hayes asked: “Isn’t it time for a separate pedestrian bridge across the river? It’s so dangerous to walk the current footpath.”

Ryan’s dad Brian Robins said his son was “one lucky lad” having been released from intensive care on Tuesday morning.

The teenager was staying at Holt Fleet Farm Caravan Park with the family for the bank holiday weekend. He also suffered a right shoulder fracture and lots of other cuts and bruises. Contact police on 101 and quote 0493S of May 26 if you have any information.