PEOPLE living in Eastham near Tenbury are being told that they will have a new bridge over the River Teme in 2017.

Worcestershire County Council say work on a permanent bridge to replace the one that collapsed in May will begin in a few weeks.

But it confirms that there will be no temporary bridge to save villagers a diversion of an hour through narrow lanes during the winter.

Since the collapse of the bridge, the Council has been working with specialist contractors and partners at the Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England and Malvern Hills District Council.

The plans announced will deliver the best outcomes for local residents whilst causing the least amount of disruption, according to Worcestershire County Council.  

"I am delighted that we are now in a position to be able to announce the construction of a new bridge at Eastham,” said Councillor Marcus Hart, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways.

“We recognise the significance this bridge has on the lives and livelihoods of people in the area, which is why we have made every effort to come up with the best, long term solution as quickly as possible.

“The new bridge that we will be building cannot be a like for like replacement for the old, listed bridge, but it will include some of the original elements of the old bridge and most importantly will get people moving across the river as quickly as possible." 

The area around Eastham Bridge is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and it has been determined that any temporary bridge, erected close to the site of the original bridge, would require a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

This would take months to complete before any construction work could get underway. Instead the new plans will lead to a new permanent bridge being built on the same site as the old one avoiding the need for an EIA.

Marcus Hart said that he expects work to start on the new bridge in the middle of October and the bridge will be operational by April next year:

"There is a lot of work to do,” he said.

 “We will be bringing large steel beams and equipment on to the site and ask local people to bear with us while the work is being done. We will continue to keep them fully informed about how the work is going and when we expect them to have their bridge back again."

Erosion of the foundations has been blamed for the collapse of the bridge on a calm spring afternoon.

Tragedy was narrowly avoided as the bridge collapsed at the same time as school buses were transporting children between Lindridge School and the village.

Villagers are concerned about the implications of the lengthy diversions and say that there have already been a number of incidents in Eastham where ambulances have been required.

The village is also cut off from the paramedic first responder who lives in the other side of the River Teme.