THIS shocking photo shows the scale of driftwood and other debris piling up against an old bridge weeks before it suffered a partial collapse.

Cyclist Jeremy Davies took this stark photo of branches and other driftwood piled up to the parapet of Powick Old Bridge weeks before part of the historic structure tumbled into the River Teme at the end of last month.

Malvern Gazette: DEBRIS: The River Teme overflowing and forcing debris against Powick Old Bridge DEBRIS: The River Teme overflowing and forcing debris against Powick Old Bridge (Image: Jeremy Davies)

The 68-year-old of Perdiswell, Worcester, took the photo of mountains of driftwood in the Teme reaching almost to the height of the medieval bridge's parapet on December 7 last year.

Mr Davies said: "As a cyclist who regularly crosses the bridge I have been aware of frequent build-ups of large amounts of debris which often remain for weeks before being removed.

"This bridge is very important in our history and the site of the ‘Skirmish at Powick Bridge’ in 1642 which signalled the beginning of the English Civil War.

Malvern Gazette: HIGH: The River Teme rises high against Powick Old Bridge HIGH: The River Teme rises high against Powick Old Bridge (Image: Jeremy Davies)

"I hope it gets repaired and better protected with some urgency, also it is a key link on the Worcester Pedway cycle route giving access to the Powick cycle bridge which was built at great expense."

His observations come after Bedwardine councillor Sue Smith blamed the build-up of debris for the partial collapse.

The grade I listed bridge, which dates back to medieval times, is thought to have suffered due to part of the foundation being washed away during recent storms.

The bridge is now closed to pedestrians and cyclists as an assessment is carried out by Highways. 

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Councillor Mike Rouse, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said he was saddened to hear of the collapse of the bridge.

Malvern Gazette: SAD: This photo by Daniel Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, shows the scale of the partial collapse at Powick Old Bridge SAD: This photo by Daniel Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, shows the scale of the partial collapse at Powick Old Bridge (Image: Daniel Daniels)

"We carry out inspections on all Worcestershire County Council owned Structures including Powick Old Bridge in accordance with the Government Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure. This involves General Inspections every two years and a Principal Inspection every six. 

"Powick had its last Principal Inspection, a full assessment with an engineer gaining access to every part of the bridge, in May 2022, and was last inspected for erosion of the abutments and pier foundations in May 2023."

He said the bridge is inspected for erosion levels every year, and also a separate inspection for any changes in erosion levels after every flood where possible.

"Further erosion level inspections haven’t been able to be carried out following the recent storms as water and debris levels have remained consistently high. 

"Debris removal has to be co-ordinated with the water levels receding, as access is required to the bank side to remove it. Debris removal has been undertaken on Powick Old Bridge in December 2022, May 2023 and most recently in January 2024.”