First phase of historic Staffordshire bridge refurbishment completed ahead of schedule
The first phase of a refurbishment of an 18th-century Grade II-Listed road bridge in South Staffordshire has been completed a week ahead of schedule.
The £350,000 scheme at Wodehouse Lane Bridge in Gospel End near Wombourne started on July 21 and was due to be completed by Friday this week (August 15), but the project team worked hard to get the job done a week early (August 8).
Staffordshire Council said that work on the masonry arch bridge will improve and protect the structure for future years and has included bridge deck and utility investigations, brickwork repairs and clearing drainage.
There will be a second phase of the refurbishment programme in 2026.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways said: "Wodehouse Lane Bridge is a historical asset to Staffordshire and so this refurbishment scheme needed to be carried out in keeping with its Grade II listed status.
"The team has worked hard to complete ahead of schedule which is great news.
"This is the first phase of the scheme ahead of further refurbishment works to take place in 2026 and was scheduled during the school summer break so we could minimise disruption.
"We’d like to thank people for their understanding over the last three weeks.
"Completion of both phases of the programme will help to preserve the bridge for years to come.”
