Twenty ‘substandard’ road bridges in Hampshire cannot carry heavy vehicles but are considered safe for normal traffic, research has revealed.

The bridges in Hampshire – including two in East Hampshire – were described in a RAC Foundation report as unfit for the heaviest vehicles.

Last month, the RAC Foundation found that one in every 25 bridges in Britain are unable to carry the heaviest vehicles.

The research surveyed all 208 local authorities responsible for highways in England.

It found that 2,928 of the 73,208 bridges were “substandard,” meaning they could not carry the largest 44-tonne lorries allowed on the roads.

Many of these bridges are subject to weight restrictions, while others are under programmes of increased monitoring or even managed decline.

The research includes bridges ranging from major structures across estuaries to stretches of road at least 5ft (1.5m) in length spanning culverts carrying water under carriageways.

In Hampshire, 20 out of 1,337 bridges maintained by Hampshire County Council are considered “substandard”.

The North Warnborough Lift Bridge is the only lift bridge on the Basingstoke Canal. Originally a swing bridge, the present powered lift bridge was installed in 1988.
The North Warnborough Lift Bridge is the only lift bridge on the Basingstoke Canal. Originally a swing bridge, the present powered lift bridge was installed in 1988. (Hampshire County Council)

The county council said that some of the bridges are historic or located on “very minor rural roads” that are already inaccessible to 44-tonne vehicles.

“Those that are accessible already have clear restriction signage in place or are in the process of having this erected”, the council said and pointed out that despite the weight limit they ”all are considered safe for normal traffic use”.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “This data should not be used as a stick to beat highway authorities with.

“While on the one hand, it looks like councils are holding their own in keeping their road networks functioning, with every year which passes we are seeing the challenge of maintaining climate resilience increase in the face of more extreme weather.

“The real danger lies in the change in climate – more temperature extremes and more wind, rain, snow and ice put are putting an ever-greater strain on the foundations of our roads and the structures that carry them.”

The bridge at Bramshott Mill, also known as Passfield Mill, on Passfield Road near Liphook is also included on Hampshire's list of 'substandard' bridges not suitable for heavy vehicles
The bridge at Bramshott Mill, also known as Passfield Mill, on Passfield Road near Liphook is also included on Hampshire's list of 'substandard' bridges not suitable for heavy vehicles (Google)

Here is the list of the 20 “substandard” bridges in Hampshire:

Froyle Mill – Froyle near Alton (East Hampshire)

Church – Upper Clatford, near Andover (Test Valley)

Herony, near Hurstbourne Priors (Basingstoke and Deane)

Test, Whitchurch (Basingstoke and Deane)

Beaurepaire Mill, near Bramley (Basingstoke and Deane)

Malthouse, Crookham Village (Hart)

Cadmand Green, Cadnam (New Forest)

Rhinefield No.2, near Brockenhurst (New Forest)

St Clairs, near Soberton Heath (Winchester)

Bramshott Mill, near Liphook (East Hampshire)

Damerham Church Path No.2, near Fordingbridge

Kingfisher, near Colden Common (Winchester)

Ovington Mill, Ovington (Winchester)

Cuts Arch, Soberton (Winchester)

Weardale Road, Eastleigh 

Longwater, near Fareham (Winchester)

Longstock Brick No.1, near Stockbridge (Test Valley)

Brook Farm, near Romsey (Test Valley)

North Warnborough Lift Bridge, north Warnborough (Hart)

Brook Green, near Tadley (Basingstoke and Deane)