Report due on Baddington Bridge works on A530 in Nantwich

Cheshire East Council are due to complete a report this month into how the closure of Baddington Bridge to heavy vehicles is to be resolved.

The council imposed a 7.5 tonne weight limit on the A530 bridge on the outskirts of Nantwich back in September.

A 30-mile diversion was set up for heavy goods vehicles, but many have either ignored the weight limit or taken shorter diversions down narrow lanes and through quiet villages.

Now Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith says Cheshire East are working a “feasibility study” to find out how much it will cost to repair and secure the bridge in future.

Their report is due out at the end of March.

Cheshire East Council and Historic Railways Estate (HRE), part of National Highways, have been locked in stalemate for months over who should fund the work needed to bring the bridge back into full use.

Mr Naismith said: “The weight limit is causing an influx of freight traffic through neighbouring towns.

“I know this is a source of frustration for residents in Nantwich, who are having to deal with increased traffic through their town centres and across residential areas.

“Following a number of conversations with constituents outlining the issues with the weight restriction at Baddington Bridge, I wrote to Historic Railways Estate, Cheshire East Council and the Department for Transport (DfT), seeking clarification over responsibility for securing the structure and urging action to end the deadlock which was delaying works being carried out to return the bridge to its original weight allowance.

“I was clear that while statutory responsibilities may differ between organisations, the current situation is not sustainable.

“I have called for a coordinated, time-framed route to resolution and made clear that I am prepared to pursue this further in parliament, should progress continue to stall.

“I have since received responses from all related parties, which has shed some light on the ongoing gridlock.

“While National Highways own the structure, Cheshire East Council bears responsibility for any strengthening work required to secure the bridge beyond basic compliance (for example, to make it fit for HGV traffic).

“Cheshire East Council are also carrying out a feasibility study to ascertain the costs of these works, which should be concluded by the end of March.

“Regardless of the complications surrounding responsibility for the weight restrictions, I am determined to give residents sight of how and when Baddington Bridge will be returned to its former capacity to prevent further disruption to the local area.”

In the most recent statement, a spokesperson for National Highways said: “Safety is our top priority. We carried out repairs to Baddington Bridge in Spring 2025 to ensure it meets load-bearing standards.

“The local authority is responsible for implementing the weight restriction, which they have done, and for any further strengthening.

“We have met with the council, offered to transfer ownership of the bridge, and discussions on its future are ongoing.”

The MP vowed to keep constituents who have contacted him about the issue informed of future progress.

Any other residents who wish to be kept up to date can email [email protected]