A £2m investigation is set to take place into the safety of a busy Sefton bridge after concerns were raised about its capacity to take “unusual loads” from port traffic.
The action, funded by a special grant from the Department of Transport, will carry out "investigatory works" on the Millers Bridge which runs over the railway and is part of the busy A5058 at Balliol Road in Bootle.
The “critical” road for traffic to and from the Port of Liverpool is designated as safe to carry heavy or abnormal loads. However, Highways England has raised concerns over the weight capacity of the bridge and its “continuing ability to accommodate such loads.”
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According to a local authority report produced ahead of next week’s full council meeting, Network Rail has confirmed an assessment was carried out “some time ago” demonstrating the bridge could accommodate 40 tonne loads.
The report states there had also been an evaluation carried out which gave an “indicative capacity to carry out normal loads” and another assessment could be due soon in relation to cast iron parts of the construction that require “particular consideration.”
The Department for Transport funding will be used to carry out that assessment, land further investigation work led by Sefton Council as Network Rail “don’t currently have capacity” with most of the investigations due to take place at track level.
The report states that after the investigation work has been carried out a report will be submitted and discussed with Network Rail about any strengthening work that needs to be carried out.
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