’andwell Council is responsible for 178 bridges as well as a number of retaining walls, culverts, subways and other structures.
The Council is responsible for the majority of road and footbridges in the Borough, but there are a significant number of bridges that are owned and maintained by other organisations, such as Network Rail and the Canal and River Trust (formerly British Waterways Board).
- 175 are owned by Sandwell Council
- 3 are jointly owned/maintained by Sandwell Council/Canal and River Trust
- 35 are owned by the Canal and River Trust
- 70 are owned by Network Rail
- 4 are owned by Transport for West Midlands (related to the West Midlands Metro tram system)
- 15 are motorway bridges owned by the National Highways in addition to the elevated sections of the M5 and M6 motorways. These structures are maintained on their behalf by Kier Highways.
- 4 are privately owned.
Bridges are best identified by the name of the road which they are located on and the obstruction they cross(e.g. the River Tame or the Walsall Canal).
In addition to the bridge stock, Sandwell Council is responsible for many retaining walls which either support the highway or the land on the highway boundary. Because retaining walls are usually on the highway boundary, ownership is often uncertain and many retaining walls in the Borough are not currently in the Council's records.
It is essential to ensure that our bridges remain in good, safe condition and accessible for all road users. We manage our bridges and structures through a programme of
- Planned inspections
- Structural reviews
- Planned major maintenance schemes
Planned Inspections:
Every three years we carry out a ‘general inspection’ of our bridges.
In 2024/25 we plan to undertake general inspections to 50 bridges in the Borough - General Inspection List
Every six years we carry out a more detailed close visual inspection (known as a ‘principal inspection’) of our more complex and larger structures.
In 2024/25 we plan to undertake principal inspections to 31 bridges in the Borough - Principal Inspection List
Structural Reviews
Sandwell has undertaken a review of our bridge data to identify which bridge structures are directly applicable to the Code of Practice CS451 (Structural Review and assessment of Highway Structures). This exercise has identified that CS451 is directly applicable to 68 Bridge Structures in total. In 2024/25 we plan to undertake the recommended structural reviews to 16 of these structures - Structural Review List
Unplanned inspections
We also carry out a number of unplanned special inspections in a year to establish the condition of a bridge or other structure. These unplanned inspections are normally carried out in following a report of a road traffic accident bridge strike or a concern raised by a member of the public.
Bridge Maintenance Programme
Sandwell has two major bridge refurbishment schemes planned for 2024.
Dudley Street Bridge, West Bromwich
Dudley Street Bridge carried Dudley Street over the West Midlands Metro adjacent to the Dudley Street/Gunns Village tram stop. It has long been subject to a 18Tonne weight restriction due to the condition and design of the bridge decks under to footway. The design work necessary to strengthen and refurbish the bridge has been in hand a number of years, however in order to minimise disruption the tram side construction works were planned to coincide with the West Midlands Metro Delta junction upgrade works in early 2024.
A major £2M strengthening scheme is being undertaken on this bridge. The bridge decks under the footways are being replaced, with a topside refurbishment of the existing carriageway deck, including waterproofing and resurfacing. Dudley Street has been closed at the bridge to facilitate this, with pedestrian access maintained, and vehicles diverted via the adjacent A41.
Once complete the existing weight restriction will be removed. Works will be complete in Summer 2024.
Dudley Port Bridge, Tipton
Dudley Port Bridge carries the A461 over the Birmingham Canal. Some years ago the inspection programme identified a number of structural faults to the bridge, and at that time the highway alignment was altered from a dual 2 lane carriageway to a dual single lane carriageway to reduce the loading on the bridge. More recent inspections have identified additional deterioration and in 2023 following a programme of structural investigations a structural assessment was caried out which identified that the assessed capacity of the structure is sub standard in its current form.
As part of a wider West Midlands plan to improve the A461, a feasibility study has been carried out in order to replace or strengthen the structure, whilst also exploring the feasibility of accommodating safe space for cyclists and pedestrians and to have increased usable carriageway width.
During 2024 it is hoped this scheme will move into detailed design, with a view to having boots on the ground in 2025.