Share this page |
Roads - bridge strengtheningThe County Council has carried out a strength assessment of the structures on its network, in accordance with Government instructions. All structures supporting the highway with a span equal or greater than 1.5 metres were included.
The results of this assessment form the basis of the strengthening programme. The County Council's target is to have 95% of the network capable of carrying vehicles without weight restrictions. The programme of bridges to be strengthened is published annually in the Local Transport Plan Progress Report. However, the actual programme of works each year is dependant upon the level of funding and the prioritisation of the works. Thus the actual programme can only be set when the budget for the financial year is announced, usually in December prior to the April start of the new financial year. Strengthening of structures is carried out for many reasons. In rural areas bridges are strengthened to ensure economic hardship does not result from the imposition of weight limits, or to allow alternate routes for traffic during winter, emergency closure of roads and to allow access to remote communities by emergency service vehicles.
|
