Kempley Road Bridge

HC Deb 24 January 1979 vol 961 cc187-8W

26. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the collapse of the Kempley road bridge on the M50.

Mr. Horam

The collapse of this bridge, which carries a class C road over the M50, was caused by a heavy goods vehicle hitting a bridge support. The support collapsed under the impact and this resulted in two spans of the bridge deck falling across the M50 carriageway. The driver of the lorry was unfortunately killed in the accident.

The bridge was constructed in 1959 in accordance with the standards applicable at that time and the supports were provided with steel safety fences designed to deflect light vehicles. The current standards for bridge supports require a stronger design.

The motorway was completely closed for two weeks and is now open to two-way traffic running on one carriageway. Arrangements are in hand to repair the bridge and strengthen the supports of this and four other similar bridges on the M50.