A section of historic Worcester Bridge is set for repair after a police car crash damaged the bridge’s northern parapet and sent brickwork and masonry into the River Severn.
A planning application has been submitted for listed building consent to carry out “like for like” masonry repairs to the Grade II-listed structure. Worcester Bridge is a prominent stone arch bridge that carries the A44 over the River Severn. It was designed by John Gwynn and built between 1771 and 1780, later widened in 1932 while retaining its classical character.
According to the application, the repair scope focuses on reconstructing the dislodged parapet section with the same profile, dimensions, and detailing as the original work. The stone package includes a mix of reclaimed material and new Birchover Gritstone from Matlock in Derbyshire, selected to match the original stone’s color and grain.
Worcester City Council’s archaeology team has asked for comprehensive building recording before and during the repairs. That record is intended to identify which sections are original, reclaimed, and new. The team has also requested documentation of the full process, including quarrying, carving, and installation, as part of the bridge’s archaeological record.
Because the bridge spans the River Severn, the plan includes temporary scaffolding above the arches, anchored from the carriageway. Work will be suspended during flood events to protect workers and the structure.
Police previously said the crash occurred while a patrol car was responding to an emergency incident, and a loose piece of equipment became lodged in the steering column. West Mercia Police said insurers are in contact with the local authority regarding the cost of the works.
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