Dangerous M5 bridge hole gets new temporary repair

A temporary metal mesh patch now covers the hole in the bridge over the M5 near junction 6, replacing the plastic one that had been there before, after National Highways responded to public concerns. The bridge is on a popular walking route from Trotshill Lane East in Warndon Villages in Worcester. The path runs over the A4440 Trotshill Way, via a pedestrian crossing, and continues onto a footbridge over the motorway where two metal struts have been removed, leaving a small gap.

BROKEN: The hole in the footbridge showing the original temporary repair which has now been replaced with a metal mesh (Image: Newsquest) The struts were cut away during a police incident at the bridge two years ago, and although a plastic barrier had been installed, some councillors had raised concerns that it was not safe for children walking over the bridge. A National Highways spokesperson said: "We have recently reinforced the temporary measure until a more permanent repair can be carried out.

We continue to monitor the site to ensure the footbridge remains safe for all users." Recommended reading: Cllr Andrew Cross, a Green Party city councillor for Leopard Hill and county councillor for Warndon Villages, was one of those who reported the issue and urged others to do the same.

"Thank you to everybody who called National Highways with their concerns about this. It's great to see a more permanent temporary repair has been done." Katie Collier, also a Green Party city councillor, said: "It is essential all our walking and cycling routes are safe and well-maintained."

Cllr Sarah Murray, a Liberal Democrat councillor for St Nicholas ward in Warndon Villages, also raised initial concerns, calling the original temporary fix 'a serious safety failure'.

At the time, she said: "A damaged barrier on a pedestrian bridge over the M5 is not a minor issue -- it's an accident waiting to happen."