More work needed to restore landmark bridge

ADDITIONAL work is needed to restore Worcester Foregate Street bridge to its former glory, rail bosses have revealed.

Work began back in June on Network Rail's £1.1million scheme to give the Grade II listed bridge a facelift including repainting and repairs to its drainage and guttering.

But it has since emerged more work will be needed to replace steelwork sections which have suffered extensive corrosion, meaning the project will now not be completed before the end of January.

Network Rail project manager Jim Melling said the additional repairs would preserve the bridge for many years to come.

Mr Melling added: “Upon completion of the grit-blasting activities, it emerged that the corrosion of the structure was considerably more widespread than had been considered in the original inspection report.

“Although the scope of the work has increased significantly we are confident that these new works will be complete by the end of January."

Mr Melling said they would liaise with the city council to ensure any disruption to traffic on Foregate Street during next weekend's Victorian Christmas Fayre would be kept to a minimum.

“We will be providing traffic management for extended hours during the fayre period, to facilitate the passing of coaches through the structure, and will make every effort to keep disruption to an absolute minimum," he said.

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