CRACKS in Whitchurch toll bridge means its reconstruction has been fast-tracked to next year.

The Whitchurch Bridge Company, which owns the Grade-II listed structure, had planned to begin the work in 2013.

However, a recent inspection by Oxfordshire County Council found lengthening cracks in the pier capitals of the 108-year-old bridge.

The inspectors decided the bridge could become dangerous if it was left for two more years.

Building work is now planned to start in October next year and be completed by April 2012.

During this time the bridge will be closed and replaced with a temporary footbridge.

Meanwhile, temporary repair work will be carried out on the cracks without closing the bridge.

The company clashed with villagers last year when it doubled its toll to 40p in order to finance the £3.5million reconstruction in 2013.

Whitchurch Parish Council chairman Harry Butterworth voiced concerns that this could lead to another toll rise.

He said: “We know that they have made calculations for using the toll increase to help them finance the bridge reconstruction but that was based on building in 2013.

“People were already upset that the company was raiding the village for money and I am concerned that this could be a way to increase the concessionary toll.

“The rebuild is necessary but the villagers are alarmed about what’s going to happen. People cross multiple times a day and it is going to be hard work travelling the long way around. We have elderly and infirm people who need to cross to the doctor’s surgery, for example.”

Geoff Weir, secretary of the Whitchurch Bridge Company, said: “We have no plans to go back on our promise that we would not increase our concessionary tolls past 20p before 2013.

“There is a lot of uncertainty with the costing of any major project like this and we are very concerned about it. We have to plan on a prudent basis for what we see in the future.

“We understand and acknowledge that the bridge reconstruction will be a huge inconvenience for people. We will try to minimise that inconvenience and if people have any ideas to help then we will listen.

“The fact is that the damage to the bridge means it has to be repaired before it becomes unsafe and has to be closed anyway.”

The damage to the bridge was caused by expansion and contraction caused by changes in temperature. At its hottest point, the bridge is 30mm longer than at its coolest.

The six pier capitals sit at the top of the bridge’s columns and support its lattice girders.

The reconstruction is subject to planning permission, with the company aiming to submit an application to South Oxfordshire District Council and West Berkshire Council as soon as possible.

Company chairman Mike Beckley said: “Safety is our top priority and our decision to bring forward the date of the reconstruction and carry out immediate repairs will ensure that the company can continue to meet its legal obligation to provide a safe and reliable crossing over the Thames between Pangbourne and Whitchurch-on-Thames for the next 100 years.”


Published on 26 July 2010