Navigation
Agenda item
Bishopford Road Bridge Update
Minutes:
Paul McGarry, Head of Future Merton, and James McGinlay, Assistant Director for Sustainable Communities, from Merton Council provided an update on the bridge. They apologised for the inconvenience to residents, this was not an event that could be predicted. Heavy rainfall and flooding in June had resulted in water eroding the foundations of the bridge resulting in one arch collapsing and serious damage to another.
Work since has focused on stabilising the structure in order to make it safe for inspections and repairs. Over the last month, the bridge has been stabilised with the hole in the riverbed filled and concrete injected into the arches. Two reports have been commissioned: one on what caused the collapse; and another into the options to repair or replace the bridge. The initial investigation meant leaving the bridge as was in order to analyse the structure. The options appraisal with designs will report back before Christmas.
In addition to the bridge itself there have been issues with vehicles/mopeds crossing the footbridge, bus diversions and utilities. In response we have installed CCTV with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and lighting to improve safety on the footbridge and have been working with TfL to put on an additional bus service from Ravensbury to Morden. We are currently waiting for a provider to be appointed. Utility lines were broken in the bridge collapse, and whilst the electric supply was replaced, the gas supply was redirected through the existing network. With demand for gas now increasing as we go into winter there will need to be new works to secure the supply.
We are also installing new hoardings around the site. There will also be a monthly newsletter, and updates to the website whenever there is news. We are considering at taking down wall between bridge and Watermeads so that people feel safer following feedback from residents. This could be a temporary measure until bridge is completed.
Residents asked a number of questions and these are set out with the response below.
|
Question |
Response |
|
Did Merton consider providing free shuttle bus service |
Shuttle service frequency requires large number of vehicles so TfL can provide a more reliable service |
|
Has Merton checked the safety of other bridges? |
We are responsible for over 50 bridges. Funding from TfL supports inspections of bridges across the borough, which then leads to capital programme for improvements. It was a survey taken out on Bisphodford Road that lead to works on bridge as they identified it need strengthening |
|
Has Merton considered building a temporary bridge? |
We have looked at temporary bridge options but the underpinning for a new structure would impact on riverbed and riverbank and therefore river flow. |
|
Did the weight of vehicles affect the bridge? |
We will look at if weight might have had an impact |
|
There are pools of water at either end of the footbridge |
Paths were gravel, which was being disturbed by extra use, we will be replacing with tarmac and widening shortly. |
|
Going through the park makes people vulnerable and is frightening. Consider this when rebuilding the bridge |
Will look at improving footpath in new bridge
|
|
What was the cause of collapse related to the works taking place? |
Independent study will come back next month and will include lead up to the event. We always have a method statement for works, which also needs to be agreed by Environment Agency when over the river. |
|
What contingency planning was done? |
We have contingency plans for dealing with emergencies including flooding. |
|
The barriers on the footbridge are not accessible |
We are happy to look at barriers; they are there to prevent vehicle access. We are currently collating data on impact of ANPR |
|
How long will LBM take to make a decision? |
The report will provide options, whilst the decision making process depends on level of spend, as below a threshold certain can be done without any further reports but if over then it goes to Cabinet for a decision. A Repair could be a few months, where as a rebuild could be much longer, into summer 2020. |
|
The gassworks has impacted on traffic in Morden |
We meet with utility companies to plan but if it’s an emergency we can’t wait. With Ravensbury works it is better to do these now before the winter demand picks up. We can monitor traffic along with TfL, and have moved diversion signs to Rose Hill to redirect traffic away from the area. We will stop non-essential works whilst Bridge is out. |
|
Footbridge is a drinking area and dark |
We have installed lighting to make people feel safer |
|
Does wall bare load for the bridge |
The wall is not part of the bridge |
|
5 October temporary traffic order not well advertised |
We can look at local signage |