Work to repair a collapsed culvert not expected to start until the summer

Work to repair a collapsed culvert that has caused frustration in a Shropshire village is not expected to start until the summer.

The road from Cardington to Stone Acton has been closed since November, while there are temporary measures in place on the road to Leys Hill after another culvert collapsed. It means the easiest way to get Church Stretton and south of the village is via Gilberries Lane, but that road is also in a poor state and not designed to take heavy traffic.

However, Shropshire Council say environmental and resourcing constraints mean a permanent repair is possible to carry out immediately.

“It is anticipated works will be undertaken in the early summer, subject to the appropriate consents being obtained,” said Councillor Dan Morris, portfolio holder for highways at Shropshire Council.

“The council is therefore giving this aspect of the project due regard and priority. It should be noted that Shropshire has experienced a number of named storm events over recent years which have resulted in a significant increase in rainfall across the catchment.

“In the last year alone, there have been 10 storm events in the surrounding catchment that have resulted in more than 20mm of rainfall in a 24 hour period. During the October event (which was not a named storm) the catchment received 39mm of rainfall which fell on a saturated ground.

“Whilst highway culverts such as these are able to convey normal storm events, the repeated named storms have placed additional strains on the county’s drainage infrastructure, much of which is historic in nature.

“Whilst the replacement of these culverts is carefully considered to ensure replacements are fit for purpose, often additional funding is needed and delays are experienced with appropriate assessments and required consents. In order to restore access quickly, the new culvert is likely to be a like-for-like replacement.”

Councillor Clive Tonks, chairman of Cardington Parish Council, says better signage is now in place to warn drivers of the closure after it caught many out.
 
“A blue light ambulance had to come all the way down here then go back,” he said.

“Since then, I’ve hardly seen anyone come down here, apart from an Amazon driver who had to take a photo of the barriers and take it to his company.

“The other road, which had a big hole in it, towards Leys Hill has got a plate over it and has reopened.

“These roads are absolutely key to a community like this, including emergency vehicles. All these people are inconvienced in one way or another.”

Cllr Tonks added that that villagers are worried if another big storm hits, especially as there is a lot of debris in the stream.

“The one in October damaged this structure quite significantly,” he said.

“Shropshire Council came out and thought they could repair it. But sadly, less than a fortnight later, we had another storm and the damage really was beyond repair. The brickwork has collapsed and is now blocking the stream, so one of the concerns is if we have another storm.”

Steve Oldham, who runs the only pub in the village, The Royal Oak, along with his wife, Eira, said the closure is having a big impact on his business.

“We depend on trade, in particular tourist trade,” said Mr Oldham.

“We need to people to be able to get in, but since the roads have been closed, we’ve seen a tangible drop, which is obviously affecting us financially.”

Anne Jennings, who works for the Boultons of Shropshire coach company, added: “We have to divert, so it’s costing a lot of money. Gilberries Lane has also got a lot of potholes and is having a knock-on effect.”

Sue Sheppard, from North Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast, also said that the 10-mile diversion people are facing to get back into the village is frustrating.

“You have to go all the way to Leebotwood,” she said.

“The other day, we couldn’t go down Gilberries Lane because it was iced over and a pipe had been broken. This is going on every single day.”