THE council has spoken out after allegations that a whirlpool had appeared in a hole that has appeared on a partially collapsed medieval bridge.

Drone footage taken over Powick Old Bridge had shown flood water and debris crashing against its structure and claims of a whirlpool in the bridge's eroded hole.

However, Worcestershire County Council has denied any whirlpool exists and said there is no further degradation to the existing hole.

OPEN: The hole in Powick Old Bridge where a whirlpool can be seen from the air OPEN: The hole in Powick Old Bridge where a whirlpool can be seen from the air (Image: Dan Jones Chimney Sweep)

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The bridge partially collapsed in January, and a hole developed in June leading to fears that it might not survive another winter. 

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council added: "The hole remains bounded on two sides by water mains that cross over the bridge.

REPAIRS: Marc Bayliss,  Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, at Powick Old Bridge (Image: Worcestershire County Council) "We have raised our concerns with Severn Trent about the potential risk of further collapse, but we are happy to report that, to date, no additional issues have occurred."

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Monks from Malvern Priory built the bridge in 1447 and it was later the scene for the Battle of Powick Bridge in 1642, during the English Civil War and also had a part to play in the Battle of Worcester. 

FLASHBACK: Powick Old Bridge shortly after the partial collapse on January 31 FLASHBACK: Powick Old Bridge shortly after the partial collapse on January 31 (Image: Newsquest)

The bridge's strong historical roots in Worcestershire led many to share their upset over its deterioration and share fears that nothing was being done to save it from a watery grave. 

The then county council transport leader, Mike Rouse, blamed the situation on the removal of a weir by the Environment Agency to assist migrating fish, something the Environment Agency strongly disputes.

Worcestershire County Council confirmed it is moving into a critical phase of the project and work is being done to rescue the bridge.

HOLE: A hole has also opened in Powick Old Bridge HOLE: A picture from when the hole first opened at Powick Old Bridge in June. (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The spokesperson added: "As we move forward, we are ready to begin the next critical phase of the project: a Ground Investigation.

"This step will take place before the installation of a temporary support frame, scheduled for November."

The first stage of the long-term repair of Powick Old Bridge began this summer.

A temporary ramp was installed from the footway into the river channel, and a working platform was created on the upstream side of the river.

The purpose of the working platform is to safeguard the collapsed area of the wingwall from further damage and to allow the arch and abutment to be properly inspected.