Bridges
Bridges and the road network
What are the bridges made of?
Bridge strengthening
Why do some bridges have a weight restriction?
How many bridges have a weight restriction?
Dealing with abnormal loads
Bridges over roads
Other structures
Bridges and the road network
The County Council has responsibility for over 1000 highway bridges and culverts in Nottinghamshire.
These bridges carry the county road network over rivers, railways, canals, and of course, other roads. In addition, there are also 90 privately owned bridges that belong to organisations such as Network Rail and British Waterways Board.
There are also 150 highway bridges on the trunk road network (A1, A52, A46 & A453) and the M1 motorway in Nottinghamshire. These bridges are the responsibility of the Highways Agency and their agents, AMScott.
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What are the bridges made of?
The Council’s bridge stock is made up of a variety of construction types although most are of masonry/brick or reinforced/pre-stressed concrete.
Some of the masonry arch bridges are quite old, with some dating back to the 18th century. Despite their age, they are still safely carrying today’s road traffic!
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Bridge strengthening
Since 1999 the permitted weight of heavy goods vehicles (HGV’s) allowed on the highway increased to 40 tonnes on 5 axles and 44tonnes on 6 axles.
To meet this requirement, the County Council is nearing the end of a bridge assessment and strengthening programme. As a result of this, over 130 bridges and culverts have been replaced or strengthened.
This is in addition to the ongoing inspection and maintenance of the bridge stock.
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Why do some bridges have weight restrictions?
Bridges failing to meet the 40/44tonnes standard normally have a temporary weight restriction imposed until they are strengthened or replaced. The weight restriction depends on the assessed capacity of the bridge. Sometimes, if there are suitable alternative routes or there are other traffic reasons, permanent weight restrictions are made.
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How many bridges have a weight restriction?
There are just 12 temporary and permanent weight restrictions on the county road network, 4 of these are on bridges over the Chesterfield Canal belonging to British Waterways Board, the rest are on County bridges on minor parts of the network.
Some of these weight restrictions will be removed in due course as the remainder of the strengthening programme is completed.
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Dealing with abnormal loads
Abnormal Loads also need to use the road network and they have the potential to cause problems. For these loads, carriers are required to advise the County Council, as Highway Authority, of their intended route.
The Council is then required to check and advise of any bridge or road restrictions. The Council has preferred abnormal and high load routes and advises the carrier to use these whenever possible.
Loads in excess of 150tonnes can still be moved by Special Orders separately made for each load. Again, agreement on the route is required between the carrier and highway authority.
Movements up to 300 tonnes regularly pass through the County carrying such items such as transformers for power stations and large castings for industry.
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Bridges over roads
There are also many bridges that cross the county highway.
These structures are mostly owned by either Network Rail, British Rail Property Board or the Highways Agency.
Standard height clearance over the highway is 5.03m (16'6"). Bridges with highway clearance below this height have signs attached warning road users of the safe clearance. There is no statutory limit governing the overall height of a load on the highway but wherever possible it should not exceed 4.93m (16'3") in order to make maximum use of the main road network.
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Other structures
In addition to highway bridges and culverts, the County Council has responsibility for other structures on the highway such as retaining walls, footbridges and sign gantries.
The Council has over 130 highway retaining walls greater than 1.4m in height on its register. In the case of some structures and retaining walls it can be difficult to establish ownership, nevertheless, the County Council still has a duty of care to ensure the safety of all users.
For more information on bridges in Nottinghamshire tel: 08449 80 80 80.
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