1. what is the justification for carrying out this work – A section of historic masonry parapet and a substantial pilaster over a central pier was knocked into the River Trent in an Road Traffic Collision two and a half years ago and still needs to be permanently repaired in keeping with the rest of the important grade II listed highway bridge.
2. the drivers that resulted in agreement to order the work to be done. – There is a fundamental need to ensure that the heritage of Derbyshire’s listed structures are maintained suitably for the benefit of all people.
3. The solutions that were considered – The temporary concrete block repairs temporary solution has meant that no additional traffic management costs have occurred since the RTC damaged the bridge itself. The two main permanent repair solutions involved whether the parapet and pilaster over the central pier could be extracted safely from the strong current of the River Trent and rebuilt or whether fresh masonry needed to be sourced, cut to size and stored locally until it can be safely installed.
4. Reason why the eventual solution was agreed and its cost – The externally sourced contractors could not supply a safe working method to remove from the River Trent the substantial pilaster section fallen around the central pier, the chosen contractor supplied the best cost for the repairs at the time of tendering of approximately £30,000.
5. Attempts to reduce time that bridge was closed – The bridge was forecast to be closed for a four week period. The contractor has recently agreed to work extended hours daily and to work weekends to maximise their time on the bridge and minimise the inconvenience. The programme of works is forecasted to be a total of 20 days actual working time on the bridge over a four week closure period. If the weather conditions for working on the bridge enables the team to work consecutively then it is hoped the actual weeks closed will be less than forecasted.
6. Evidence that the cost and inconvenience to motorists was considered – By working with the DCC Road Closures Team and communities we are trying to find the least inconvenient weeks for the works to be undertaken by seeking to do these works in School Summer Holiday periods as much as practically possible.
7. Evidence of discussion with the residents of Willington and Repton – A briefing note document which was issued on an email from Julian Austin was sent out as attached on the scale of the works forecasted for this summer by DCC to Elected Members for the benefit of the Local Parish Councils in September 2025