Bridge strengthening

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

Over the last few years all Wiltshire's bridges with a span exceeding 1.5m have been assessed to establish their ability to carry 40/44 tonne vehicles.

A programme for strengthening or replacing those that did not meet the requirements is underway, with bridges on principal roads being strengthened first. Bridges waiting in the list are monitored to detect any deterioration in their condition.

Additional Information

On January 1st 1999 the maximum allowable vehicle weight increased from 38 to 41 tonnes and the maximum allowable axle weight from 10.5 to 11.5 tonnes. Bridges built in previous centuries are being expected to support loads that they were not designed to carry.

Over the last few years all Wiltshire’s bridges with a span exceeding 1.5 metres have been assessed to establish their ability to carry these increased loads. It is encouraging that over two thirds of the County’s bridges meet the requirements but a significant number do not. A programme for strengthening or replacing sub-standard bridges is underway with bridges on principal routes, which attract the highest number of heavy vehicles, being strengthened first. Bridges waiting in the list are being monitored to detect any deterioration in their condition.

A list of the sub-standard bridges in Wiltshire A list of the sub-standard bridges 48kb

The following bridges are programmed for major strengthening, refurbishment or replacement works in 2010/11

Ogbourne Flyover, Ogbourne St George, A345, (April 2010)
Bulford Bridge, Bulford, A3028, (May 2010)
Pewsey Road Bridge, Marlborough, A345, (May 2010)
Burdens Ball Bridge, Wilton, B3088, (June 2010)
Cross Bridge, Wilton, B3088, (August 2010)
Devizes Castle Bridge, Devizes, (January 2011)
Heytesbury 4th Bridge, Heytesbury, C272, (September 2010)
Dauntsey Bridge, Dauntsey, C77, (November 2010)
Doncombe Bottom Bridge, North Wraxall, C71, (December 2010)
Town’s End Bridge, Chitterne, C22, (November 2010)
Potterne Road Bridge, Devizes, A360 (January 2011)
Stanes Bridge, Malmesbury, B4014, (January 2011)

A bridge that has recently been reconstructed is St Georges Bridge in Orcheston. When the time came to replace the old substandard bridge the opportunity was taken to build a new brick arch using traditional techniques. This is the first true masonry arch built to carry a public road in Wiltshire for over 100 years, and whilst it may have taken a little longer to build than a similar concrete structure, experience suggests that brick arches tend to significantly outlive their concrete counterparts