Flood-damaged bridge to remain closed to vehicles

Rea Bridge, which carries the road from Neen Sollars to Neen Hill over the River Rea, was closed after parts of it collapsed during severe flooding.

Shropshire Council says it is too early to be able to give an accurate indication of how long this may be for, but an initial estimate is that it may be for up to three months.

Whilst the bridge is closed, traffic is being diverted along an alternative route.

On Monday, the river bed under the bridge and the bridge’s foundations were checked for damage by a diving contractor and found to be sound.

The bridge has been reopened to pedestrians and cyclists with temporary fencing to channel people down its centre, and keeping them away from its unprotected edges.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:

‘‘The bridge has had to be closed in the interest of safety after a totally unforeseeable flood which is understood to have been the worst in living memory. It is appreciated that this will cause disruption and inconvenience, and everyone involved will do all that they reasonably can to repair and reopen it as soon as is reasonably possible.”