Network Rail is to launch a full investigation into what caused a road bridge to partially collapse in Leicestershire on Monday evening, leading to the suspension of services on the mainline between London and the East Midlands.
Dramatic photographs show the side of the Grove Lane bridge in the village of Barrow upon Soar having fallen away, with brickwork strewn across two tracks below.
At the time Network Rail was carrying out examination works to the bridge, with a temporary road closure in place. Local people say concerns were raised over the condition of the bridge several months ago.
Local resident Cheryl Billson told TP Weekly News: “A lot of residents reported the problem to different people but nothing seemed to have been done.
“My father was concerned that the bridge didn’t look safe as the wall appeared to be bowing out a bit. We knew the road was going to be closed for maintenance this week and then this happens.”
Barrow upon Soar councillor Claire Forrest said that cracks had previously appeared on the structure and said levels of traffic over the bridge had increased in recent years.
Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said in a statement: “I am in contact with Network Rail who are working to get the line back into use as soon as possible. It is still too early to know what the cause of the collapse is but they have assured me that they are currently investigating and will release more details when they become available.
“Clearly this is a major inconvenience to both my constituents and those using the train line and I shall be pushing for repair and restoration of the bridge to take place as quickly as possible.”
A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We have been working with Network Rail to ensure Grove Lane is safe for motorists and pedestrians and an emergency road closure is in place while the bridge is closed.
“When we have received reports about concerns with the pavement and road across the bridge we have carried out repairs and passed all details onto Network Rail as the bridge owner. In May we inspected the pavement and alerted Network Rail to potential bridge movement, as a result the overnight closure of Grove Lane was introduced on 1 August to allow for investigation work.”
A Network Rail spokesman said yesterday: “Our teams have been working on site since the early hours to make the bridge area safe and restore train services following the partial collapse of Grove Lane bridge. A full investigation will take place into the cause of the collapse, but our priority today is to return rail services as soon as possible.”
Institution of Civil Engineers bridges specialist Alan Simpson said the partial collapse should not cause undue worry over the condition of other structures elsewhere. “Very few bridges fail in this way and all bridges are subject to a very rigorous inspection programme; visually every two years and a closer inspection every six years.”
He added that in the case of the Barrow upon Soar bridge it looks as through the vertical spandrel walls that hold material under the road had failed, possibly as a result of recent wet weather.
The UK Roads Liaison Group’s Bridges Board chairman Dana Skelley said: “The nation's bridge stock is a valuable asset and tends to be taken for granted by the travelling public. Clearly bridge owners must invest appropriately in our assets if we are to avoid unplanned disruption. UK Bridges Board members share best practice and will ensure lessons learned are disseminated widely.”
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