Two listed bridges given added protection to guard against repeat of storm damage

Protective measures have been installed on two Grade One listed bridges in West Devon to guard them against future storm damage.

Steel plates or “nosings” have been fixed to the piers of Newbridge at Gunnislake and Greystone Bridge near Tavistock in order to protect the structures from impacts during flooding.

Gunnislake Newbridge was left with a void in one of its piers in April this year after it was struck by a fallen tree that had washed into the River Tamar, while Greystone Bridge sustained similar damage during storms in 2022.

Permission to install the metal fixings was granted by West Devon Borough Council and Cornwall Council, with consultation also held with Historic England. Work was carried out by contractor Marine and Civil Solutions.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We’ve seen in recent years how storms and intensity of rainfall are becoming more and more extreme. Both of these bridges have had to undergo repairs, most recently at Gunnislake, as a result of damage caused during flood events.

“Repairs are complex, costly and cause disruption to traffic so it was important that these steel plates were installed ahead of the coming winter. We have previously used metal guards successfully to protect temporary repairs so we’re hoping that they will help minimise the risk of future damage caused by debris in the river.

“Our thanks go to partner authorities who have given their approval for us to carry out this work to preserve these important structures and as the unpainted steel weathers it blends in sympathetically with the stone.”

Councillor Debo Sellis, County Councillor for Tavistock, said: “Greystone Bridge sits in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage site and it is a key factor when, as custodians we take care with the maintenance of the infrastructure. We need to balance history and our future – which I’m glad to see has been done sensitively on both of these bridges. Thank you engineers for your expertise, and motorists, thank you for your patience.”