Nb100506exa Bideford Long Bridge Consultation
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EEC/06/55/HQ Executive 19 June 2006 Bideford Long Bridge: Results of Consultation and Formal Scheme Approval Report of the Director of Environment, Economy and Culture Please note that the following recommendations are subject to consideration and determination by the Executive (and confirmation under the provisions of the Council’s Constitution) before taking effect. Recommendation: It is recommended that: (a) Executive notes Devon County Council’s obligation to protect the Bideford Longbridge as a Grade One listed structure and that action needs to be taken to ensure its continued safety; (b) the record of long and extensive public consultation be noted; (c) Executive approves the design and construction of a scheme based on Option One, estimated cost £6.5 million, as the solution to securing the long term safety of Bideford Long Bridge. 1. Summary This paper reports on the outcome of the recent public consultation undertaken, and on the two viable options put forward to strengthen the Bideford Longbridge. Feedback from the consultation is presented and discussed. 2. Background Bideford’s Longbridge is protected as a Grade 1 Listed Structure and the County Council as Highway Authority has an ongoing responsibility to maintain and preserve it. The historic 13 th century masonry arches of the bridge are in a satisfactory condition. However, due to the condition and inherent weakness of the concrete widened sections of the bridge which carry the road and footways, a 3 tonne weight restriction was introduced in 2002. A detailed investigation into the condition of the 1920s concrete and steel cantilevers was carried out in September 2005. The results indicated that generally the underlying steel is inadequately protected, due to insufficient concrete depth. There is clear potential for ongoing corrosion of the steel reinforcement and steel beams because of this, high levels of chloride contamination, and carbonation of the concrete. This situation exists in addition to the significant visible areas where concrete has cracked and spalled. Repairs to the existing fabric of the bridge are unlikely to be effective. Guarantees from specialist contractors for their effectiveness are available for only up to approximately 15 years. An option to repair the bridge can only be seen as a short term solution and is unlikely to be value for money due to the extensive areas requiring repair and protection. This involves significant investment on a regular basis over the whole life of the structure, the cost of which would have to be found from County Council resources. Repairing the weak areas of the bridge is considered not to be practicable or cost effective in the long term and would not strengthen the structure to be capable of carrying current traffic loading. There are concerns that if the condition of the bridge is allowed to deteriorate, it will be necessary at some stage, to restrict access further or close the bridge in order to protect the safety of the public. The outcome of a consultation process undertaken in June 2003 regarding the bridge’s future, was presented to Executive on 15 July 2003, and it was resolved that further discussions take place with English Heritage and other key stakeholders and that the conclusions of those discussions be reported to a future meeting (Minute *496 refers). As a result, a wide ranging consultation process has recently taken place, and a further public exhibition held which canvassed the views on two options considered viable to strengthen the bridge. This report details the results of discussions and summarises the findings of the recent public consultation. 3. The Consultation Process Details of the consultation process undertaken in June 2003 where a total of nine options were considered was presented in a report to Executive on 15 July 2003. This is reproduced as Appendix I of this report. The consultation engaged all Bideford Town Councillors, and County and District Councillors from Torridge and North Devon representing Bideford and the adjacent communities. This was followed by a three-day public exhibition held in Bideford. As a result of the feedback received from this process a recommendation was adopted by Executive to undertake further discussions with key stakeholders and that the conclusions be reported to a future meeting. Further consultations have since taken place culminating in a public consultation and exhibition held during March and April of this year. A Working Group, established in July 2004, consisting of Members and officers from Devon County, Torridge District and Bideford Town Councils has discussed the consultation process in detail. Details of those involved in the Group are included in Appendix II of this report. The Group met on a total of six occasions to review options for the bridge’s future, agree viable options to strengthen the bridge, and to establish the process for a wider consultation with both the public and other key stakeholders. A representative from English Heritage attended one meeting at the invitation of the Group. The Working Group came to a consensus that there are now only two viable options to strengthen the bridge. These options, which were subsequently illustrated and explained in the consultation leaflet (Appendix III) and at the public exhibition, were: Option One Replace weak areas of concrete on the bridge using a similar combination of steel and concrete which would preserve the Grade One listed structure more or less in its present form and appearance. Option Two Remove the weak concrete walkways and reinstate the bridge parapets closer to the original line, to expose more of the original historic masonry arches. Walkers and cyclists would be provided with separate safer access using lightweight stainless steel walkways designed to be as visually unobtrusive as possible. The Working Group discussed, edited and agreed the content of a consultation leaflet developed by officers from the County Council and also agreed on the wider consultation process to be followed. The agreed consultation leaflet is included in Appendix III of this report. This consultation process consisted of: • The distribution of 10,000 leaflets to households in the Bideford area explaining the options for strengthening the bridge. • A preview exhibition held for Members of Torridge District, Bideford Town and local County Council Members on 26 March 2006. • A week long public exhibition from 27 March to 1 April 2006 held at two locations in Bideford and East the Water. • Seeking the views of key stakeholder organisations (19 in total). • Making detailed information available on the County Council’s website. • Publication of articles and features regarding the exhibition and consultation process through the press, local radio and television. • A presentation made to a public meeting convened by Torridge District Council and attended by Bideford Town and Devon County Council Members. 4. The 2006 Consultation Feedback A total of 445 responses had been received via a combination of returns of the consultation leaflet tear off slips, letters, and e-mail responses, by 18 April 2006. The breakdown of preferences for each option was as follows: Number % Supporting Option One (Strengthen as existing) 192 43.0% Option Two (Strengthen with new walkways) 242 54.5% Other 11 2.5% TOTAL 445 100% The main themes of written comments received were: 85 responses preferred the appearance of the existing bridge (Option 1). 47 responses asked for the existing weight restriction to be retained in any event. 44 responses considered that Option 2 offered safety benefits for pedestrians and cyclists. 27 responses felt that Option 2 would increase the exposure of pedestrians and cyclists to the elements. 19 responses preferred the appearance of the Option 2. Nineteen key stakeholder organisations having a potential interest in the future of the Longbridge were approached directly seeking their views. Responses were received from eight organisations - two expressing a preference for Option One, two expressing a preference for Option Two, and four giving no indication of preference. The full list of those consulted is included in Appendix II of this report. The views of both Torridge District and Bideford Town Councils have been received following the recent consultations. A public meeting was convened by Torridge District Council and attended by Bideford Town and County Council Members on 3 May 2006. Devon County Council officers made a presentation regarding the options under consideration. Following that meeting on 3 May 2006: Torridge District Council resolved: "that the County Council be advised that this Authority support Option 1 detailed in the consultation process, being the strengthening of the existing bridge keeping the appearances as at present" "before a decision is taken by the Devon County Council we ask for an unbiased mail shot to every house in Bideford with a prepaid envelope for reply" "that the Council are implacably opposed to Option 2" (A copy is attached at Appendix IV.) Bideford Town Council resolved: 1. That this Council calls on Devon County Council to consider more carefully the option of repairing the existing structure. 2. Before any of the decisions on major works are taken by Devon County Council, we ask for an unbiased mail shot to every house in Bideford with a prepaid envelope for reply. 3. Meanwhile, this Council is implacably opposed to Option 2. The Bideford Regeneration Initiative have also responded but have expressed no view, requesting that Devon County Council works with them to "obtain the right result for Bideford" and a wish to remain involved in the ongoing consultation exercise surrounding the Bideford Long Bridge. A copy of the response is attached at Appendix V. 5. English Heritage Given the Grade One Listed status of the Longbridge, English Heritage have a significant role in advising on what works or alterations will be permitted to be undertaken. Throughout all consultation processes undertaken so far, the views of English Heritage have been sought and taken into consideration.