Concern over delay to work on frequently-hit bridge

A lorry overturned after hitting the bridge back in 2022

Concerns have been raised that essential works on a frequently-hit bridge will not be carried out before a major logistics park is opened.

Work to lower the road under Hinckley's A5 Watling Street Bridge was initially due to be carried out in March 2024, but this was then pushed back to Easter 2025 and has not yet taken place.

At the time, National Highways said the delays were due to "highly complex drainage issues".

County councillor Ann Pendlebury said people have "real concerns" over the delays ahead of a logistics park currently being built by developer Mountpark at nearby Padge Hall Farm - with works to lower the road under the bridge included in the planning approval.

Councillor Pendlebury, who is also a borough councillor for Hinckley, said: "Every time the bridge gets hit the traffic goes down Nutts Lane.

"[Residents] have got these huge, enormous lorries coming past their properties over a little bridge and once it's done that it then disseminates into the rest of Hinckley, so all the roads around there get pressured.

"They're really worried about it. You've got this large industrial estate being built, and there's been a variety of promises over many years. We just want to know this is going to happen before additional pressure [of the logistics park] is placed on that road."

The bridge was also hit in January, for the second time in one week

Tom Kilmister, senior development director, UK and Ireland at Mountpark told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) work on the bridge will "significantly improve safety".

"Increasing the bridge's clearance will significantly improve safety, reduce delays and enhance connectivity for all road users.

"The infrastructure project is being carried out under the authority of National Highways who are responsible for the technical approval," he said.

National Highways programme development manager Ian Doust said: "This is not a quick fix to the issues at this location, it is a highly complex engineering solution and lowering the road must not adversely impact the bridge or drainage system, particularly with changing weather patterns.

"Taking into account traffic levels, we must be certain work can be delivered safely and without unacceptable levels of disruption."