B4449 Kelmscott Road, Bridge at Priory Mill

What has happened? 

Priory Mill Bridge is a single span, grade-II listed structure over the River Leach. In August 2024, the bridge was struck by a large vehicle causing substantial damage to the bridge parapet. For safety reasons the road was immediately closed so that it could be inspected by our structural engineers. 

Further structural assessment has identified additional damage to the spandrel wall in addition to the bridge parapet. This has reduced the load bearing capacity of Priory Mill Bridge, such that vehicles cannot safely use it anymore. Vibrations and loads from passing traffic would directly stimulate the damaged area, potentially worsening its condition and causing further deterioration. The risk of wider structural failure would increase and therefore allowing continued traffic flows is not safe or responsible. Particularly given the drop off into the watercourse below.  

What is in place?  

The road remains closed until the bridge bridge parapet and spandrel wall is repaired and safe again.
 

Update 28 February 2025:

We are pleased to report that work to repair Priory Mill Bridge will finish today and the road is scheduled to reopen to all traffic this afternoon. We would like to thank the local community for their continued patience throughout this repair.

Update 31 January 2025:

Work to repair Priory Mill Bridge began yesterday as planned. We are expecting to complete our repairs to the southern parapet on 21 February 2025. We would like to thank the community for their ongoing patience throughout this repair.

As residents know, the bridge was struck by a second vehicle in December 2024, causing damage to the northern parapet. Our repairs to this section have been scheduled for Monday 24 February 2025. We are in active communication with the Environment Agency, Cotswold District Council, Lechlade Town Council and local residents regarding this second repair. We are working as swiftly as possible to reopen the road to all traffic and hope to do so by mid-March 2025.

Previous updates:

We continue to monitor this site with our priority of keeping the travelling public safe. Whilst we have had the road closed we have reviewed the traffic management options here to see if it is feasible to reopen the road to any traffic.  Unfortunately, there has been some further deterioration to the parapets and there are concerns that if motor traffic was allowed to pass the site, further more extensive damage could be done resulting in more expensive and difficult repairs. There is still a risk to all road users due to the drop off into the water course below.

Additionally, even if the bridge were capable of supporting traffic safely, there is simply insufficient road space to protect the damaged parapet, create a pedestrian walkway and allow access by larger vehicles. Whilst we appreciate the continued closure is frustrating, it is critical for public safety. We recognise the importance of this route to the local community and are keen to see it reopened as soon as possible. 

We have recently received reports of our barriers being moved to allow access by vehicles. We would strongly discourage this and reiterate the road remains closed. At no point has the road been re-opened by Gloucestershire County Council since the collision in August 2024.  

We thank everyone for your continued patience. 

When will the road be re-opened?  

We are liaising with partners and agencies to ensure we have all the necessary permissions and approvals for the work to commence as soon as possible.

We are mindful that the bridge is a key local connectivity link for the community, and it is a high priority for us to have the bridge open for vehicular traffic as soon as possible. 

Is there access for pedestrians/cyclists?  

The road remains open to pedestrians and cyclists can dismount to push their bicycles through the walkway. 

What3words location

///fiery.thin.fries