Bournemouth Borough Council’s Planning & Transport & Technical Services Business Units are responsible for maintaining the Borough’s highway structures stock, which includes bridges, culverts, subways and retaining walls.

The Business Units are based in the Town Hall Annexe, St Stephens Road, Bournemouth.

The highway structures comprise:

• 20 Bridges,
• 22 Pedestrian Subways,
• 14 Footbridges,
• 5 Culverts
• 37 Highway Retaining Walls.

Structures within the main public areas, such as the Central Gardens and the Chines are maintained by the Council’s Leisure Services Business Unit.

Bournemouth's Bridges

The majority of Bournemouth’s structures are located along the A338 Wessex Way and are either reinforced concrete or steel bridges.  Two bridges of interest are located over Bourne Avenue and Braidley Road as they both received awards on completion. 

Tuckton Bridge, which crosses the River Stour, is of historic interest because it is one of the earliest examples of a reinforced bridge in this country. Constructed in 1905 using the Hennebiques patent ferro concrete system, it was originally only designed for the use of tramways, but now carries a far greater volume and weight of traffic than can have ever been envisaged when originally designed and built. 

Bridge Management

The bridge stock is inspected on a rolling programme every two years to identify maintenance requirements and to prioritise the works.  All structures on the primary routes can carry the current 40 tonne loading. A number of structures on the secondary routes have a weight limit.  Strengthening works were completed in 1997 and any additional assessments of the bridges are undertaken if the strength of the bridge is in question.

Incidents of damage through vehicle collision, storm damage or other causes are investigated as soon as possible.  In the case of damage to bridges by vehicles, reporting of the vehicle details may mean it is possible for the Council to claim the cost of the repairs to the bridge or culvert.

Bridge Maintenance

Major works such as strengthening, waterproofing etc funded from Central Government using the Local Transport Plan Capital monies.  The Council has recently undertaken a number of major bridge projects, which have included waterproofing, painting and concrete repairs.

Minor steady state maintenance work is undertaken from Revenue funding. These works are of lower individual value, but are very important in maintaining the bridge stock.  Currently, the Council spends a total of around £100,000 per annum on these minor works.

Road over Rail

The Road over rail bridges are owned by Network Rail and all structures have been assessed for their load carrying capacity.  As a rule, the bridge usually belongs to the organisation that had cause to need the bridge in the first place.

Abnormal Loads & Height Restrictions

When hauliers wish to move loads that are classed as ‘abnormal’ (for example those with a gross weight exceeding 40 tonnes), a haulier must notify and gain consent from the Police.  In addition, if the gross weight or axle weights exceed those specified on the C and U regulations he must indemnify the Highway Authority and all the bridge owners along the proposed route.

An abnormal load can potentially travel on any road providing the haulier complies with the law.  The following table shows the local restrictions regarding weight limits.

The following table shows bridges with restrictive heights

The law requires the haulier to give a maximum of two clear days notice to the Police, Highway Authority and Bridge owners before moving the load.

The notice periods for loads over 150 tonnes, 6.1 metres wide or 27.4 metres long is different and hauliers moving such loads need special orders from the Department of Transport.

Parks Structures

The Leisure Services Business Unit is responsible for pedestrian bridges and walls located within Bournemouth’s public open spaces. 

A bridge of particular notable interest is the Alum Chine Suspension Bridge.

Retaining Walls

Highway retaining walls are: 

• Walls supporting the structure of the highway,
• Walls retaining land that has been excavated in cutting to form a highway parapet wall,
• Walls providing a safety barrier on a steep slope.

Privately owned walls fronting council land, which are considered a danger to the public, are inspected and a Notice served on the owner to make them safe.

Contact Us

The Council prioritises safety works and long-term durability to extend the life of its structures. 

If you believe a bridge is dangerous or has been damaged by a vehicle please contact us as below.

Telephone the Customer Contact Centre on 01202 451199 during normal office hours or our Out of Hours Service on 01202 451145 outside normal office hours. Please quote the bridge location and the nature of the problem. 

Email us quoting the bridge location and the nature of the problem at highways@bournemouth.gov.uk

If you require more detailed information regarding Bournemouth’s bridges or structures, please contact:

Mr Stephen Wait,

Planning & Transport,

Town Hall Annexe,

St Stephens Road,

Bournemouth

BH2 6EA

Tel.  01202 451379

Fax: 01202 451007

Email. steve.wait@bournemouth.gov.uk

Just click on the following link to complete a highway bridges online form