The Department for Transport (DfT) Structures Fund supports local highway authorities in maintaining, strengthening and renewing highway structures that are critical to the transport network. The fund is intended to help authorities deliver major schemes that are difficult to finance through existing highway maintenance budgets alone.
Warwickshire County Council has applied to the DfT seeking funding support for the replacement of Coton Road Bridge in North Warwickshire.
The scheme
Coton Road Bridge carries Coton Road over the River Tame near Nether Whitacre and provides an important connection between local communities, employment sites and the wider road network. The bridge also supports access to industrial and logistics businesses in the surrounding area and forms part of an important local transport corridor.
The existing structure was constructed in the 1950s and is currently subject to operational restrictions because of its condition. The bridge currently operates under:
- A single-lane traffic arrangement controlled by traffic signals.
- An 18-tonne weight restriction.
- Reduced carriageway width.
These restrictions affect local journeys, freight movements and network resilience.
Why investment is needed
Detailed investigations and engineering assessments have identified deterioration within key structural components of the bridge. Following extensive review, replacement of the structure has been identified as the most sustainable long-term solution.
Without intervention, further traffic restrictions may be required in the future, potentially resulting in:
- Longer diversion routes.
- Increased journey times.
- Reduced accessibility for communities and businesses.
- Additional pressure on alternative routes across North Warwickshire.
- Increased future maintenance and monitoring requirements.
Proposed solution
The proposed scheme would replace the existing bridge with a new structure designed to modern standards and with a design life of approximately 120 years. The replacement bridge would:
- Restore unrestricted vehicle access.
- Remove the existing 18-tonne weight restriction.
- Restore full two-way operation.
- Improve long-term reliability and resilience.
- Reduce future maintenance requirements.
- Support sustainable asset management of the highway network.
Construction would be undertaken in a manner intended to maintain access throughout the works wherever possible.
Benefits of the scheme
If delivered, the scheme would provide a range of benefits for residents, businesses and road users, which are detailed below.
Supporting economic growth
The bridge provides access to businesses, industrial sites and freight operators in the area. Removing existing restrictions would improve network efficiency and reliability for commercial traffic and local employers.
Improving connectivity
The scheme would maintain an important local crossing and help reduce the impact of lengthy diversion routes on communities and businesses.
Improving network resilience
Replacing the bridge would reduce the risk of future disruption arising from deterioration of the existing asset and improve the long-term resilience of the local transport network.
Supporting local communities
The scheme would help reduce the impact of diverted traffic on surrounding communities and improve access between local settlements, employment areas and services.
Supporting environmental objectives
The project has been developed with consideration of whole-life carbon and sustainable asset management principles. A whole-life carbon assessment has been completed as part of scheme development.
Funding
The estimated scheme cost is approximately £11 million, with Warwickshire County Council proposing to contribute approximately £1.65 million towards delivery and seeking £9.35 million from the DfT Structures Fund.
Stakeholder engagement
The council has engaged with local stakeholders, elected members, community representatives and other organisations throughout the development of the proposal. Feedback received has helped inform the scheme and its wider benefits for communities, businesses and road users.
Equality and accessibility
An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken to consider the potential impacts of the scheme on different user groups and identify appropriate mitigation measures during delivery. Accessibility and inclusive access are important considerations as the project progresses.
Next steps
The Structures Fund application has now been submitted to the Department for Transport for consideration.
Should funding be secured, Warwickshire County Council will continue to develop the scheme through detailed design, approvals, procurement and construction.
Further updates will be provided on this webpage as the project progresses.