Historic Powick Old Bridge restoration to begin

The first stages to repair a historic bridge are expected to begin later this summer.

Powick Old Bridge in Worcestershire suffered a partial collapse earlier in the year due to flooding which left many worried it would take too long to fix.

A temporary ramp from the footway into the river channel will be installed and a platform created upstream.

"There isn’t a quick fix, this restoration will take time and patience to ensure that all work is carried out with the consideration that such an important bridge deserves,” said Worcestershire county councillor Marc Bayliss.

The council has said the temporary platform will prevent water entering the arch allowing work to take place, and if the river does flood water will be diverted over the top of the platform.

Detailed design of a permanent reconstruction is expected to startnext year.

The bridge's wing wall will need to be taken down as part of the repair process, the council said,but the rebuild will use as much of the original stone and brick as possible.

"Hopefully the installation of the temporary platform will reassure people that we are working hard to reinstate the bridge to its former glory" Mr Bayliss said.

The county council will work with the Environment Agency and Historic England to rebuild the bridge "bridge in a way that doesn’t compromise the look of the structure," he added.

The bridge, a scheduled monument, is thought to have featured heavily in the Battle of Worcester in 1651 where Charles II's army was defeated by Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army.

It was constructed by monks from Malvern Priory before 1447 and partially rebuilt during the 17th century.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]