Staffordshire County Council has completed refurbishment work on Wodehouse Lane Bridge, an 18th-century Grade II Listed structure on the A463 at Gospel End, Wombourne. The scheme represents the second and final phase of improvements to the historic masonry arch bridge.
Work finished two days ahead of schedule after just under seven weeks on site. The council invested £350,000 in the overall refurbishment scheme.
What the work involved
The latest phase included further strengthening of the structure, waterproofing improvements, drainage upgrades and resurfacing. All work was carried out in keeping with the bridge's Grade II Listed status.
Why the bridge needed repair
Wodehouse Lane Bridge is among many ageing structures across Staffordshire requiring proper funding for ongoing preservation and maintenance. Staffordshire County Council's Roadmap to a Better Network highlights the challenge of maintaining historic infrastructure, with the council calling on central Government for better funding to preserve these structures.
Daniel Cecil, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Support Member for Highways (Operations South), said: "Wodehouse Lane Bridge is a historical asset to Staffordshire and so this refurbishment scheme had to be carried out in keeping with its Grade II Listed status. We're pleased it's now complete and the work has been slightly ahead of schedule."