Massive repair bill for bridges

kind of loads and a proportion do not pass the test.

The RAC Foundation report says many of the substandard bridges are subject to weight restrictions. Others will be under programmes of increased monitoring or even managed decline.

Perth and Kinross Council is listed as having only one substandard bridge which the authority intends to return to full capacity in the next five years.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “While we should draw some comfort from the good knowledge highway authorities have about the strength and structural integrity of their bridges, the fact is that many thousands are subject to enhanced monitoring, speed and weight restrictions, and the cost of bringing them up to scratch is continuing to mount.

“Ancient bridges on rural back roads might not be the highest priority for repair, but the risk we run is that substandard structures on some roads result in heavier vehicles having to make lengthy detours.”

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Whilst Perth and Kinross Council recognise that a number of bridges have been identified as being ‘substandard’, we can confirm that these are either signed with a weight restriction, or are subject to an enhanced monitoring regime to ensure that they are ‘safe for use’ and that there is no risk to the travelling public.

“In addition, there is an ongoing long term programme of bridge works which is targeted to reduce the number of bridges of concern.”