A FUNDING bid to safeguard the future of an historic bridge in Alrewas is set to be discussed by councillors.
The cabinet at Staffordshire County Council will debate the submission of Chetwynd Bridge to the Government’s Structures Fund – and will be asked to agree what must be done to deliver the scheme if the bid is successful.
The crossing is the largest cast-iron bridge built before 1830 that still survives in England.
The proposal, which includes a new bridge to take traffic away from the Grade II* listed structure, would help keep the route open, with the existing bridge protected and stay open to pedestrians only.
The council has asked the Department for Transport for more than £40million towards the £46.35million scheme. The additional money would come from the authority's own Integrated Transport Fund.
Planning permission for the proposal was granted in August 2026. If funding is secured and the remaining land, access and contract arrangements are completed, construction is expected to run from April 2027 to December 2029.
Cllr Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, said:
"Chetwynd Bridge is an important route and a nationally significant heritage asset, so it is vital we take the right long-term approach.
"Our bid to Government would help us deliver a new bypass structure, keep this key route open, support the local economy and protect the existing Grade II* listed bridge for pedestrians and future generations."
However, the county council also issued a warning that there are many more aging structures in Staffordshire that would also need funding to keep them operational.
Cllr Mason added:
"Chetwynd Bridge is very important, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.
"Our Roadmap to a Better Network shows that years of wear and tear have caused even greater problems for bridges and other structures than for our roads.
"We look after around 3,600 structures, including bridges, retaining walls and underpasses. Other important structures are also deteriorating and could need restrictions or cause disruption in the future.
"We estimate that it would cost £618million to bring Staffordshire’s highway structures into good condition. At current funding levels, it would take 515 years to complete this work.
"Councils cannot afford costs on this scale from existing local budgets, so long-term Government investment in our ageing infrastructure is essential."
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