Powick Old Bridge Campaign
Historic England Designations:
Scheduled Monument (1005268), Grade I Listed Building (1390030) & Battlefield (1000042)
On 31st January 2024, following months of relentless flooding and heavy debris building up against the bridge, a significant section of the historic Powick Old Bridge collapsed into the River Teme. This was a devastating moment for Worcester, and indeed the nation, as one of our most important Scheduled Monuments suffered serious damage. With medieval origins and powerful associations with the English Civil War, the bridge has long stood as both an engineering achievement and a cherished symbol of Worcester’s heritage.
By June 2024, work to stabilise the bridge had still not commenced. During a particularly high flood with considerable debris force, further damage to the wing wall occurred causing a hole to appear in the road section above the collapsed wing wall sparking concern from local residents it may collapse further. An email from Jon Fraser (former Highways Project Lead) of Worcestershire County Council outlined their proposal to build a temporary access ramp into the river, allowing a working platform and “dewatering” under normal flow conditions of the arch to fully inspect the damage. This will also allow us to reclaim a large proportion of the original stonework. WCC also confirmed they had received the temporary work design back from their contractors Jacobs and will be announcing the start date for works shortly. We welcomed this as a necessary first step.
In June 2024 WCC also confirmed that whilst the temporary works are underway, an options study is being undertaken to determine the correct course of action to repair the structure. The current preferred option (which is subject to being able to be able to fully inspect the damage once the temporary solution is installed) is to install a skeletal structure behind the abutments and wing walls and rebuild the arch with stone reclaimed from the invert once dewatered. WCC noted current constraints and options and also confirmed utility issues; a BT line goes over the structure, and an 8 inch water main running over/within the structure of the bridge.
In that email, Worcester County Council confirmed that a detailed design will be completed by Summer 2024 and construction of the first phase of protecting the bridge would commence.
By August 2024, with little visible progress and the bridge continuing to deteriorate, Worcester Civic Society stepped forward. Engagement Officers Liz Demaison and Dee Bruce proposed a campaign to raise the profile of Powick Old Bridge, ensure our Society was recognised as a stakeholder and press for urgent action. This was endorsed unanimously by our committee and Chair, Phil Douce. We launched the Friends of Powick Old Bridge Facebook page to share updates, build awareness, and bring local voices together — and we are delighted that it now has over 370 followers, including residents, historians, and heritage enthusiasts.
On 23rd September 2024 we formally requested that Powick Old Bridge be placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. This national recognition is vital in unlocking funding streams, particularly from sources like the National Lottery. We are pleased that, thanks to our intervention, the bridge will shortly be included on the register — an important milestone in securing its long-term restoration.
On 24th September 2024, Worcester County Council Highways lead contractors Jacobs with Griffiths finally started in earnest as the much-awaited crane arrived.
Over the course of 2024 and 2025, Worcester Civic Society continued to push for clarity and urgency. Despite changes in WCC personnel, delays with utilities, and repeated challenges, we remained persistent. Our meetings, from site visits with contractors Jacobs and Griffiths, to formal discussions chaired by Cllr Alan Amos and WCC Officers, we have been constructive and have ensured our community’s concerns are represented at every stage. Importantly, our engagement also brought Worcester MP Tom Collins into the process. With his engineering expertise, alongside the architectural knowledge of our President, David Birtwhistle, and the conservation insight of our consultant Carl Jukes, we have built a strong team to hold decision-makers to account.
Powick Old Bridge is far more than a crossing over the River Teme. It is a rare survival of medieval engineering being one of just twelve surviving medieval multi-span bridges in England, with the highest Scheduled Monument designation protected by The Secretary of State. It is a witness to centuries of history, including battles that shaped our city and nation. Its loss, even in part, would be an irreplaceable blow to Worcester’s heritage. That is why we are determined to see it restored promptly and to the highest conservation standards.
Worcester Civic Society is proud to once again stand up for Worcester’s heritage. We are resolute in pressing for the swift and proper restoration of Powick Old Bridge, and for a robust plan to ensure its long-term care. This is not only about saving stonework, but about protecting a proud part of Worcester’s identity for future generations. With your support, we can ensure this landmark continues to stand strong at the heart of our city.
Our objectives remain clear:
- Secure urgent restoration before winter floods cause further damage.
- Prevent deterioration by addressing debris and vegetation promptly.
- Ensure all works respect Scheduled Monument standards.
- Obtain lasting commitments for maintenance and stewardship.
Partnerships and Collaboration
This campaign has been strengthened by close collaboration. We are grateful to Cllr Alan Amos for his ongoing support and for convening the first joint meeting with WCC, Historic England and our Society. We acknowledge the vital support of MP Tom Collins, Our President David Birtwhistle, Our Conservation Consultant Carl Jukes, our Chair Phil Douce and the passionate residents of Worcester.
Campaign Updates
We will continue to provide ongoing updates via our “Friends of Powick Old Bridge” Facebook Page, in collaboration with The Battle of Worcester Society & The Battlefield Trust as the restoration progresses, supported by photographs and drone footage generously provided by Daniel Jones. We currently have over 370 followers, please like and follow our page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564539100409&sk=mentions to receive ongoing updates.
If you have questions you would like us to raise, please get in touch via our contact page: https://www.worcestercivicsociety.org.uk/get-in-touch/