Work updates

Update - 20 August 2024 - Halfpenny Bridge Repairs: Phase Two

The temporary traffic lights, as described below, have now been removed. Work is continuing, as pictured:

Update - 29 July 2024

The next phase of repairs will start during the week beginning 29 July. This phase of works is expected to last approximately two months. Work is expected to take place seven days per week, Monday - Sunday, between the hours of 7am - 7pm.

The road will remain open throughout these repairs, although temporary two-way traffic lights will be in operation. The public footpath (Thames National Trail) will remain closed throughout our repairs. The existing pedestrian diversion will remain in place.

What is being done to the bridge?

These repairs involve vegetation removal, re-stitching a crack in the south-eastern pedestrian arch, the partial dismantling/rebuilding of a wing wall and repairs to the nearby riverbank to prevent erosion.

Before any work commences, a thorough ecology check of the area will be undertaken. If any nesting birds, bats, newts or other protected species are found on site, all work will cease and advice will be sought from an ecologist.

Regarding the repairs themselves:

• The tree growth, vegetation and stump growing through the south-eastern pedestrian arch will be removed to protect the structure and improve visibility.

• Small trial holes (est. 300mm square) will be drilled near the corner of the south-eastern pedestrian arch, to determine the foundation depth of the structure. This will help us to better understand the extent of the cracking.

• We will repoint the cracking with a NHL 3.5 mortar and inject a heritage grout into the void behind this crack.

• Rather than taking down the entire parapet, it will be taken down only where there are defects/vegetation and rebuilt. Re-construction will be done using reclaimed original stone and the NHL 3.5 mortar.
• The eroded riverbank will be reinstated to prevent further erosion. The riverbank will be filled with limestone boulders and gabion stone.

We have no intention of placing any pins/anchors through the voussoir (the ‘wedge’) of the pedestrian arch. The minor cracking at this location will therefore remain in place. However, this cracking will be monitored through regular inspections. Once our repairs are complete, the corner of the south-eastern pedestrian arch will also be monitored for any movement.

Which statutory bodies are involved?

Historic England

Halfpenny Bridge is a historic, Grade II listed structure. Any repairs therefore require consent from Historic England (H.E.). Following ongoing discussions with H.E., they have confirmed that permission will be awarded to Gloucestershire County Council in time for our current start date (Monday 22 July). Historic England had initially challenged our proposed method of repairing this structure, which led to design changes by Atkins. Our revised design has now been accepted.

The Environment Agency

With respect to the riverbank re-instatement works, permission is needed from the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency have now received our method statement, construction drawings and scaffolding design as requested. All fees have been paid and our application has been ‘duly made’. We are confident of permission being awarded to the council shortly.

Read about previous work updates below:

• • A structural inspection was undertaken of the bridge, from both the highway and from the river, from which it considered that there were no immediate concerns with arch relating from the accident damage to the parapet
  • The project team have reviewed the method of repair work and requirements for temporary works required to repair the parapet. In order to maximise the use of the closure on the highway, minor maintenance works were identified, which can be undertaken concurrently on the bridge in order to minimise future disruption at the bridge.
  • We have been working with all relevant legislative agencies, Historic England, Environment Agency along with the statutory undertakers and ecological specialists to ensure the correct measures and consents are in place to undertake the works safely
  • The project team have been working closely with stakeholder and partners to conclude the design requirements and construction methods in line with relevant standards and consents
  • GCC held a public consultation meeting on Thursday 20 July at Lechlade Memorial Hall. Our FAQs have been updated to reflect the comments and discussions from the meeting.

March 2024

We are currently planning phase two of the bridge repair work. This will involve the partial dismantling and rebuild of a wing wall and repairs to the archway and river embankment. The public footpath (Thames National Trail), will remain closed until completion of the work and the existing pedestrian diversion will remain. Gloucestershire County Council are working with our partners Atkins to complete the design work in consultation with the Environment Agency and Historic England. Early summer will likely provide the best conditions to carry out the repair work. It is anticipated the work will take ten weeks to complete. There will be no road closures for the work, however, traffic lights will be in operation for approximately two weeks of this time.