Worcester Bridge to undergo 'incredibly complex repairs' after crash

More robust barriers are set to be installed on Worcester Bridge after a police car travelling from St Johns to an emergency crash into the bridge last night (March 3).

Worcestershire County Council has confirmed that the bridge is safe to use, and that damage has been limited to the parapet.

Due to the age of Worcester Bridge, repairs 'will be incredibly complex', especially considering that parts of the bridge will now need to be recovered from the bottom of the River Severn.

A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: "We visited the site shortly after the incident with our contractors to assess the bridge, to support with the road closure and install temporary barriers to the damaged area.

"Their initial inspection confirmed the bridge remains safe to use and the damage is limited to the parapet. More robust barriers will be installed tonight (March 4) to allow the inbound (eastbound) lanes to reopen and restore pedestrian access on the eastbound footway.

"A full structural inspection will follow, after which we will progress necessary repair works. The bridge is on the National Heritage List for Historic England, meaning that repairs will be incredibly complex and need to be carried out alongside partners. Arrangements will be made to recover materials from the river when it is safe to do so."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "The officers were responding to an incident when the collision occurred.

"There was no second vehicle previously involved as reported in our statement on Tuesday (March 3).

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the collision.

"The Professional Standards Department has also been informed of the incident."

 Worcester Bridge is the only road bridge across the River Severn entirely within the boundaries of the city of Worcester.

The nearest river crossing to the north is located around six miles upstream at Holt Heath, while the closest southern crossing is Carrington Bridge two miles downstream.

A bridge has existed in the heart of Worcester for at least 900 years, but the current bridge has linked the city centre with St John's since 1781.

In 1841, the bridge was widened when footpaths were added to either side of the bridge, and the carriageway was widened again in 1932 to allow for modern traffic to cross.