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Lydney bridge (Newerne Street Bridge)

What has happened?

During Storm Bert (November 2024) a high volume of rain from up stream caused the river Lyd to burst its banks. The flooding caused damage to Newerne Street Bridge in Lydney and a road closure was in place from 24 November due to the fragility of the bridge. However further damage to the bridge was caused when a vehicle collided with it nine days later. 

UPDATE: Tuesday 1 July 2025

Our repairs to Lydney Bridge are now complete. The parapet has been fully rebuilt and the damaged wingwall repaired. A commemorative plaque has also been installed, to mark the recent visit of HRH The Princess Anne. We would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts.

Previous update: 20 June 2025

Cllr. Joe Harris, cabinet member for Highways Maintenance and Communications, said: "I am pleased to report that all traffic lights and barriers have been removed from Newerne Street over Lydney Bridge and both lanes of the road are now fully open.
 
"I do appreciate the impact of the closure on local residents and businesses and thank you again for your patience while we completed the essential repairs. Thanks also to the team who tackled this challenging job which included diving below the bridge to check for structural damage.
 
"Over the next week you will see some final work carried out to the wall of the bridge, but this will be completed off-road without causing any disruption to the flow of traffic. Keep an eye out for the new plaque funded by Lydney Town Council to commemorate the visit of HRH The Princess Royal."

Previous update: 18 June 2025

We are pleased to confirm repairs to the parapet are running to schedule and are expected to be completed on Friday 20 June. We plan to remove all traffic lights and barriers on this date, to fully reopened the bridge to traffic.

The damage to the western wingwall was more severe than expected. So, while the bridge will fully reopen on 20 June, our repairs to the western wingwall will continue until 27 June. We would like to thank the local community for their ongoing patience.

Previous update: 21 May 2025

We are pleased to confirm that written permission from the Environment Agency was received on Monday 19 May. Our repairs to Newerne Street Bridge can therefore be brought forward. The bridge is now scheduled for repair from Tuesday 3 June – Friday 20 June.

The bridge will remain open throughout our repairs, using temporary two-way traffic lights. We would like to thank the local community for their ongoing patience throughout this repair. If you have any questions about any aspect of this project, please contact highwaysinfrastructure@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Previous update: 19 March 2025

The design of the bridge repairs is almost complete and we expect be in a position to schedule the construction works during the summer months, pending consent from The Environment Agency (application in process). 

Previous update: 20 January 2025

Following an assessment of the underside by divers, we are pleased to confirm that traffic can safely resume using the bridge. Barriers are expected to be removed during the evening of Monday 20 January, with one lane reopening.

This repair is now a straightforward parapet reconstruction. Our engineers have already begun the design work, and we have updated the Environment Agency. Once the design work is complete, the repairs will be scheduled.

Previous update: 14 January 2025

The damaged parapet was removed on Thursday 9 January. This was done using a lightweight digger due to the load bearing concerns and it took 2 days. Divers will entering the watercourse on Thursday 16 January to examine the underside of the bridge to check for any structural damage.

If no damage is found, then our repairs will be limited to just the parapet and spandrel wall with consideration of opening up a single lane under traffic light control. In contrast, if any damage is found, then GCC will require permission from the Environment Agency to proceed. Our repair timetable will therefore become much clearer after this inspection.

We would like to thank residents for their continued patience throughout their repair. We are moving as swiftly as possible to ensure the bridge can reopen safely.

Photo of damage to bridge Photo of fencing next to damaged bridge Photo of further fencing next to damaged bridge

Previous work updates

  • A special inspection was carried out on the 9 December at Newerne Street Bridge following the car accident.
  • Unfortunately, the parapet is cracked right down to the arch. Both the parapet and spandrel wall require complete replacement. No vehicles should use the bridge under any circumstances.
  • A diving inspection cannot take place until the parapet is removed. Structural engineers and our term service contractor will determine the best way of removing the parapet.
  • Only when the parapet is removed, can a diving inspection safely take place.
  • The River Lyd is classified as a ‘main river’, which means GCC need permission from the Environment Agency before any repairs can begin on site.
  • In the meantime, we will be installing stronger concrete barriers to make sure that no vehicles use the bridge until the repairs have taken place. We are currently sourcing these through our supply chain and expect them to be delivered and installed over the next few days.
  • The road is to remain closed, and a diversion is in place. Whilst we appreciate this is inconvenient it is essential in the interest of public safety.

How is the future flood risk being managed? 

The original damage to the bridge was due to fluvial flooding from a high watercourse level. Gloucestershire County Council will continue to work with the district and town council at ongoing local flood resilience meetings. Gloucestershire County Council is a key partner in the Lydney flood group. 

We have been investigating the causes of flooding in and around Lydney for a number of years. As a result of this work, we are currently working in partnership with Forestry England on a large scale natural flood management scheme across 53Km2 of land above the town, which will work to slow the flow of water through the catchment and help reduce flood peaks further down. A funding bid has been submitted to enable this regionally, if not nationally significant project to continue for another four years.

We are also currently developing a scheme to reduce flood risk along Lakeside Gardens, and will continue to keep the local community up to date on progress through local councillors and the flood group.

We maintain a useful Flood Guide, which is a one-stop shop for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding: Flood guide | Gloucestershire County Council