Preparing for the worst… what to do if Stratford’s Clopton Bridge collapsed?
FLOODS have been all around us in recent weeks and steps are being taken to look at the long-term risks – including the nightmare scenario of Stratford’s Clopton Bridge collapsing.
The continuous rumble of lorries over it has long been a concern but the catastrophe of it falling down is being aired in a motion about flooding going to Stratford District Council next week.
The five-part motion aims to get the council to make long-term commitments to reduce the risk of making the flood situation worse by doing all in its power to stop building on flood plains across the district. It also urges action to get updated evidence of the flooding risk; a new policy for flood plain areas and action on flood management.
But it’s the fifth point of the motion which catches the eye with its focus on the Grade I listed bridge. It says: “District councillors are already in the process of discussing emergency planning with Warwickshire County Council on the impact of a possible catastrophic collapse of the Clopton Bridge in Stratford, and requested an assessment of the risk associated with this event, including human and economic risks.
“Therefore, council resolves to support the local ward members in requesting this urgent risk assessment, including an up-to-date modelling on such an emergency scenario.”
The motion is being proposed by Cllr Manuela Perteghella (Lib Dem, Welford) and seconded by Cllr Kate Rolfe (Lib Dem, Tiddington). Full council policy is that it will then be forwarded to a meeting of the council’s cabinet.
However, it is Warwickshire County Council which is responsible for Clopton Bridge and it told the Herald that there were currently no serious concerns the structure will collapse – but added local authorities are required to plan and be prepared under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
A spokesperson said: “Should an incident occur within Warwickshire, the county’s response agencies have plans in place to coordinate and support all levels of response activity.
“However, Warwickshire County Council does not hold information on the consequent danger to life and the economic implications of a flood event within the location of Stratford.
“Whilst Clopton Bridge has stood for over 500 years, inspection and maintenance regimes are in place to pick up on any serious issues that may affect its current and future performance.”
The regime for Clopton Bridge includes diving inspections to check the foundations and general inspections on a biannual basis.
“A principal inspection of the structure is planned for next year, where inspectors will carry out a detailed examination,” they added.
“Currently we are carrying out major maintenance works on the structure to address the erosion of stonework and extensive repointing to ensure that the bridge remains in a serviceable condition for many years to come.”
Elsewhere in the motion, Cllrs Perteghella and Rolfe say a working party should be set up to steer a new policy for at-risk flood areas.
The motion also points out that the last time the Environment Agency modelled the flooding risk for the Avon was in 2010 and that this analysis “has been overtaken by events” suggesting the current flood zones it operate to are out of date.
