Coalport Bridge

Built in 1818, Coalport Bridge over the River Severn is both a scheduled ancient monument and a listed building. For several years the bridge has been subject to weight restrictions, with only one vehicle allowed on at a time.

That is, until joint owners Shropshire County Council and Borough of Telford and Wrekin appointed Dew Construction Ltd as contractors to carry out strengthening work to the bridge.

When it came to a new, hardwearing surface mastic asphalt was the obvious answer, as the material flexes with the structure and provides additional waterproofing.

Rio Group installed Permanite mastic asphalt to BS1447/1/T50/H:1988, a grade that is recommended for highly stressed paved areas. As mastic asphalt does not need compaction it can be trafficked as soon as it has cooled to ambient temperature.

The bridge was formally reopened in March 2005 and Shropshire County Council’s Principal Bridge Engineer, John Williams commented “The strengthening has often been complex, requiring innovation in both the temporary and permanent work. The aspirations of both client councils have been successfully achieved, and the bridge will now be able to remain open to vehicles in the long term”