UK’s most-bashed bridge discussed by transport minister
FUNDS ALLOCATED TO IMPROVE IT
THE Transport Secretary has been asked to address the issue of an infamous railway bridge in the county that was recently named the mostbashed bridge in Britain.
The bridge over the A5, near Dodwells island, Hinckley, received the unfortunate title after it was hit 25 times over a 12-month period by tall vehicles, often causing huge delays during rush hour.
Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, asked Grant Shapps in Parliament: “What can he do to expedite the improvements on the A5 to solve problems like the bridge and make sure that we jolly well don’t win that accolade next year?”
He also mentioned in his question a £20 million investment of Road Investment Strategy (RIS) 2 funds which have been allocated to improve that section of the A5.
Mr Shapps said in response: “I’m very sorry, Mr Speaker, that my honourable friend has the most-bashed bridge in Britain. It is something that we as a government absolutely want to take away from him.
“That bridge in Hinckley has, I know, benefited from the £20 million that he mentions.
“The Office of the Traffic Commission has also written to all goods vehicle and public service vehicle operators warning them of regulatory action that will be taken if they fail to stop bashing into the bridge, and I can also assure him that Highways England are working to reduce the number of strikes.”
Dr Evans said afterwards he was pleased with the Transport Secretary’s response.
He said: “It’s time to get a grip on the most bashed bridge. I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement but will keep on pushing the issue until the most- bashed bridge accolade is nothing more than an alliterative footnote in Hinckley’s history.” Hinckley county and borough councillor, David Bill, said of the A5 bridge achieving the title: “This is an appalling record to have achieved. Every time this happens it causes disruption to both the rail and road networks and this invariably leads to congestion on the roads through our residential areas. It really is unbelievable Highways England has not yet come up with a solution.”
Dr Evans also recently asked the Chancellor Rishi Sunak for funding to improve the bridge. Mr Sunak said taking action on the bridge was “a very good example of the type of project our new Levelling Up Fund would be interested in”.
The Bosworth MP has also met Baroness Vere, the roads minister, to highlight issues around the A5.
Every time this happens it causes disruption to both the rail and road networks Coun David Bill