For the past year, National Highways has persistently claimed that Great Musgrave bridge was weak, a threat to public safety and might collapse. On this basis, the company ignored Eden District Council’s request to stop its infill work and instead invoked emergency development powers to force the scheme through.
But now the truth has been exposed. A detailed report by internationally-respected masonry arch specialists has forensically dismantled the case for infilling, demonstrating what dozens of civil engineers already knew: the bridge was fine.
The report’s key conclusions are as follows -
* All evidence suggests that the bridge was in “fair” condition, as stated by NH’s examiners.
* There was no evidence of a current/developing collapse risk or of a current/likely emergency.
* There was no evidence of defects in the arch resulting from live load (i.e. vehicles).
* Mortar loss was very localised and there was sufficient mortar to carry thrust.
* The drop of stones in the arch soffit was insignificant and there was no evidence of meaningful change over many years.
* An assessment carried out in 1998 used an unreasonable ‘factor’ for mortar loss which, if adjusted, was sufficient to lift the assessed capacity to more than 44 tonnes.
* The bridge would be able to carry 44-tonne vehicles even with significant mortar loss.
* Infilling has created a closed environment which is likely to keep the stone and mortar permanently wet, accelerating degradation of both.
* The structure has become a collection of Hidden Critical Elements, the uncertainty from which creates both safety and financial risk should removal of the infill be desired.
We have asked the Minister responsible for the Historical Railways Estate to instruct National Highways to remove the infill and return Great Musgrave bridge to its previous state. This will undoubtedly be ignored, in which case it is vital that as many people as possible lodge objections to NH's planning application to make the infill permanent. If you’ve not already done so, please submit one.
This link takes you to a page of guidance about objecting…
http://thehregroup.org/structures/greatmusgrave
You can also download a copy of the specialists’ report from a link at the bottom of the page.
The planning application itself is available via Eden District Council’s planning portal, through which you can make your objection…
Many thanks for your continued support.