Emergency 40mph limit on A442 in Telford after 'serious defects' found with bridge barriers
Temporary 40mph speed limits have been put in place on one of Telford's busiest roads – after "serious defects" were found on barriers protecting one of the bridges over it.
A parish councillor has claimed Telford & Wrekin Council has been forced into emergency action on the A442 after a routine inspection revealed there was a "high probability" the bridge at Randlay would collapse if a car crashed into it at 60mph, the normal speed limit for the road.
The new speed restriction, between the Hollinswood and Randlay interchanges, came into force today.
It is expected to be in place for the next fortnight, with much of the repair work being carried out overnight to minimise disruption.
The road normally has a 60mph speed limit – but motorists have been warned speed camera vans will still be in operation over the works period and anyone travelling over 40mph can expect to be fined.
Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: "There will be a speed limit of 40mph in place on the EP (A442) between Hollinswood and Randlay interchange while essential repairs are carried out.
"This is due to serious defects to the barriers which have been identified during a principal bridge inspection.
"The speed restriction comes into force from today and necessary traffic cones have been put in place.
"Emergency repair work will be carried out by a contractor over the next fortnight. In order to minimise disruption the repair work will be carried out during the night.
"The barriers at Randlay Interchange are the main problem but the contractor will also be doing some work on the ones at Hollinswood Interchange as well."
Councillor Stuart Parr, who sits on Stirchley & Brookside parish council for Ukip, said he had received an email which had advised him the bridge would not withstand a crash at 60mph because of problems with the barriers.
He said: "There is an emergency 40mph speed limit in place on the A442 from Hollinswood interchange to Stirchley interchange.
"The speed limit is in place because a routine inspection found that the barriers around the bridge pillars aren't strong enough to withstand a collision at 60mph.
"Most people are ignoring the 40mph speed limit but its there for a good reason.
"If someone crashes into the bridge pillars at 60mph there is a high probability that the bridge will collapse on them."
