THE plight of an imperilled bridge is again in sharp focus after flood waters battered the structure following a partial collapse, compared to an 'open wound' by a heritage champion.

Part of the Powick Old Bridge collapsed into the River Teme at the end of last month, causing concern about the medieval bridge's future from highways engineers and heritage champions alike.

Worcester News: ANXIETY: Powick Old Bridge as the flood waters rise pictured on Saturday, February 10 ANXIETY: Powick Old Bridge as the flood waters rise pictured on Saturday, February 10 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Concerns were only exacerbated when Worcestershire was hit by yet more flooding over the weekend with flood warnings in force on the River Severn and River Avon.

The arches of the bridge were pictured utterly submerged beneath the muddy flood water at the weekend. Meanwhile, drone footage, courtesy of Ed Daniels (son of the Battle of Worcester Society’s chairman, Daniel Daniels) showed the water close to the parapet and swirling around the section of the bridge which had already suffered the partial collapse.

Worcester News: PLIGHT: Powick Old Bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists as the cause of the partial collapse is investigated PLIGHT: Powick Old Bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists as the cause of the partial collapse is investigated (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The bridge is treasured by historians and historical enthusiasts not just because of its medieval origins but because it was the scene of the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642, the opening skirmish of the English Civil War.

Worcester was also the site of the Civil War's last battle (the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651) and the bridge is a surviving reminder of Worcestershire's integral part in the story of this bloody episode in British history. 

Daniel Daniels, Chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society said: “As the arches of this grade I listed bridge are now fully submerged, the entire structure is potentially at risk, akin to vast amounts of water pouring over an open wound.

"I am hopeful that Worcestershire County Council is approaching this matter with utmost seriousness, and we eagerly await their plans to restore this highly significant historical bridge.”

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According to Historic England, the bridge was constructed before 1447 and was partially rebuilt during the 17th century. It is constructed from stone with brick and is approximately 60m long and up to 7m wide.

The bridge has a brick parapet approximately 1m high with chamfered stone coping except on the west where it is interrupted by a road.

A Historic England spokesperson said in a previous statement: “We are concerned about the partial collapse of Powick Bridge after recent storms. We are working with Worcestershire County Council on emergency repairs to make the bridge safe, whilst a scheme of permanent repair works is developed to safeguard this historically-important bridge into the future.”

Worcestershire County Council say there has been no change from the original situation and there are no further updates at this time.