Bridges

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We are responsible for the safety of all public highway bridges within Wiltshire.

We undertake an ongoing programme so that all bridges are inspected every two years.

The inspection process records the condition of the bridge and assists in prioritising repairs to be carried out as part of the routine maintenance programme. All incidents of damage, vehicle collision, storm damage or other causes are investigated.

The Bridge Management Team is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the Authority’s highway structures which include bridges, culverts of 1.5m span and above, subways and retaining walls with a retained height in excess of 1.5m.

The Team is part of the Department of Neighbourhood and Planning (DNP) and in partnership with the Council’s Consultants, Mouchel, is responsible for managing more than 1600 bridges encompassing over 865 road bridges, and 12.5km of highway retaining walls, as well as over 700 bridges on public rights of way.

About Wiltshire's bridges

Wiltshire is a rural, inland County with many main rivers, tributaries, and smaller watercourses, together with the Kennet and Avon Canal and several main-line railways. As well as a substantial number of both modern reinforced concrete and steel bridges, there are eight scheduled ancient monuments and 142 listed bridges of historic or architectural importance.

Not all bridges are owned and maintained by Wiltshire Council. Bridges located on the Kennet and Avon Canal are owned and maintained by the British Waterways Board, and those over railway lines by Network Rail. All structures situated on motorways and trunk roads (M4, A419, A420, A36, A303 in Wiltshire) are maintained by the Department of Transport.

Road over rail bridges

Assessment of the risk of incursion of road vehicles onto the railway has been undertaken at all road over rail sites within the County in line with government recommendations, following the Selby rail crash.

In conjunction with Network Rail, preliminary investigations have begun into mitigation measures at the highest risk sites.

The council’s bridge policies

The County’s highway structures are vital components of Wiltshire’s road system and it is the responsibility of the Bridge Management Team to ensure that they remain safe for all highway users.

What can you do?

Please contact us to report any faults or damage to a highway bridge or structure providing as much information as possible about the nature and cause of the problem.

• What is the bridges name (if known) and its location?
• What road or street it is on?
• What the problem is?

Please contact us by telephoning the highway department on 0800 23 23 23 or by using the details below.

Last updated: 18 January 2011