Highways England Design Manual for Roads and Bridges/CG 304/Conservation of Bridges:
Introduction Background
There is a general public interest in historic bridges, to maintain them and to resist modernisation or replacement. The publication 'Conservation of Bridges' Wallsgrove et al 2002 [Ref 1.I] provides background examples and advice on conservation methods and techniques for bridges. This document complements the publication by dealing with procedural requirements of conservation.
Where maintenance work is required for highway structures it is usually preferable to conserve and retain wherever practicable. Replacement should only be undertaken as a last resort. Conservation is economical in the use of natural resources and is a particularly sustainable form of construction, which does not necessarily add to the costs of managing historic structures.
This document provides requirements and advice on the procedures required for conservation of the different types of highway structures managed by Overseeing Organisations. The document applies to scheduled monuments, listed structures, structures within conservation areas and structures deemed by the Overseeing Organisation to be of conservation merit. It covers procedures, conservation strategies, applications and management.