A530 Baddington Bridge weight fears raised three years ago, says HRE

The call for a 7.5 tonne weight limit on the A530 Baddington Bridge near Nantwich was raised with Cheshire East Council three years ago, a National Highways report shows.

But that weight limit was only imposed two weeks ago, and Cheshire East Council has not carried out any strengthening works in the meantime.

National Highways, which oversees the Historical Railways Estate (HRE), also revealed they offered to make a financial contribution towards any strengthening scheme, but that the council declined the offer.

Now it has emerged that HRE and council officials have met with a view to transferring ownership of the bridge to Cheshire East, but this has not happened.

Cheshire East finally imposed a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes on the bridge, which spans the old Nantwich to Market Drayton railway, on September 29th.

The limit has meant a major diversion for large lorries and other heavy vehicles, despite witnesses saying some drivers are ignoring the restrictions.

Inspections of the bridge carried out in 2022, and detailed in a report in October that year, show that inspectors called for the weight restriction to be imposed at that point.

But it has taken three more years for Cheshire East Council to impose that restriction.

A spokesperson for the Historical Railways Estate at National Highways told Nantwich News: “Safety is our top priority. It is our responsibility to ensure Baddington Bridge meets load bearing standards, which is why we carried out repairs earlier this year.

“It is the local authority’s responsibility to either apply a weight restriction – which they have now implemented – or strengthen the structure.

“We have held several meetings with the council and have offered to transfer ownership of the bridge to them.”

Cllr Rachel Bailey, of Audlem Ward, said: “The complex ownership/responsibility of Baddington Bridge means a good working relationship between HRE and CEC is crucial.

“I will be seeking assurance that the council is abiding by its recent commitment to actively seek a solution in partnership with HRE.”

When asked why it took three years to impose the weight restriction on the bridge and why no strengthening works have taken place, Cheshire East declined to answer.

However, in a statement, a spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “While Baddington Bridge carries a public highway, responsibility for maintaining it rests with the Historic Railways Estate (HRE).

“We are in discussions with HRE regarding their responsibilities for the structure and continue to work with them towards removing weight restrictions. Our primary concern is the safety of the highway infrastructure.

“Before we introduced the weight restriction, we communicated the issue extensively to local businesses to support the restriction being followed.

“Enforcement of the weight restriction is ultimately a matter for Cheshire Constabulary.”

Cheshire Police said: “Like all highways laws, officers will enforce the weight limit on the bridge. While officers are unable to be present 24/7, whenever breaches are identified the appropriate action will be taken against the motorist involved.”

In the 2022 HRE safety report on Baddington Bridge, in its “conclusions and recommendations”, it says: “A weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes and maintenance of the current traffic control restriction loading is required.

“The internal girders marginally fail the 18-tonne loading. A reduction of the surfacing partial factor may result in a pass.

“This would require an assurance from the local highway authority that the thickness of the surfacing would not be increased for the remaining lifetime of the structure.

“Monitoring of the fractures in the abutments and wingwalls is recommended to check for movement. It is also suggested that the fractures in the road surface on the approaches to the bridge are monitored as part of the same programme of works.

“Further investigations are recommended into the cause of the fractures in the road on both approaches.”