Bridges set for £4m revamp
Two weak road bridges are set to undergo major revamps as part of a £4 million project.
Farmers Bridge, on Moor Street, Brierley Hill, will be torn down and completely reconstructed under a scheme which will have a major impact on the roads.
A deck replacement is also needed at Primrose Bridge on Cradley Road, Netherton.
Dudley Council has submitted a bid for more than £4 million in funding to the Department for Transport for the bridge works which, if successful, are expected to start later this year.
Both bridges, which run over Black Country canals, are subject to weight restrictions and roads bosses say they are in need of urgent upgrades.
A major traffic management strategy will need to be drawn up ahead of the works. Both structures are on busy roads with Farmers Bridge not far from Brierley Hill town centre.
Experts say they are nearing the end of their lifespan and improvements should not be put off any longer. A weight restriction was imposed on Farmers Bridge in 2005 due to a lack of funds to carry out the upgrades then, council documents stated.
Designs have already been prepared in anticipation of the funding bid being accepted.
A council report said: "Farmers Bridge and Primrose Bridge are now at the top of our priority ranking and are in need of urgent strengthening.
"The concern is that if these strengthening works are not carried out then both bridges may require further lowering of the weight limits which would have a considerable affect on the local businesses and the populace, and therefore the local economy in general."
A separate £1 million bid has also been sent to the Government for five miles of footpaths on the A456 Manor Way and the A458 Mucklow Hill and Halesowen Road in Halesowen.
Brierley Hill councillor Rachel Harris said: "I clearly welcome any regeneration efforts to improve bridges in the area.
"We do have access problems because we have such weak bridges.
"However I would like to see and make sure they also address pedestrian and safety issues that we have on some of our bridges.
Councillor Harris warned drivers should expect disruption when the work goes ahead.
She said: "The inevitable disruption will have to happen at some stage as these bridges will need to be addressed."
