a) That
Option A, to replace the existing Zouch Bridge with a new bridge on land to the
south, be approved;
b) That
additional funding of £5.548m required to construct a new bridge, over and
above the £3.1m already allocated in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, be
identified through Environment and Transport Department reserves and the
Department’s existing capital programme;
c) That
it be noted that continued monitoring of the Bridge will be undertaken to
ensure safety.
(KEY DECISION)
REASONS FOR DECISION:
Continued monitoring of, and repairs to, Zouch Bridge
combined with reactive weight restrictions (weight limits, lane closures and/or
road closure) where necessary may suffice to keep it open for the next few
years, but the Bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be
replaced.
Replacement of the Bridge with a new structure to the south
will avoid serious adverse impact on Leicestershire’s road network, minimising
disruption to traffic and business, and doing this at the earliest opportunity
should enable the project to be completed before reactive weight restrictions
are required.
To ensure that any safety risks associated with the ageing
bridge are identified and addressed.
OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:
The following 3 options were considered:
Option A – replacing the existing
bridge with a new bridge to the south;
Option B – continuing with reactive maintenance to the concrete;
monitoring the bridge and carrying out repairs as required;
Option C – imposing weight restrictions, by way of limiting
vehicle weights, closing lanes, or closing the road, as necessary.