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Councillor calls for safety barrier extension after A59 bridge struck three times in six weeks
Overview
A local councillor in West Lancashire has described it as an "absolute miracle" that vehicles have not plunged into the River Douglas after Bank Bridge on the A59 in Tarleton was struck three times within six weeks. Councillor Thomas de Freitas is urging highways authorities to extend the metal safety barrier on the westbound approach to protect motorists and pedestrians, warning that it is only a matter of time before a vehicle falls off the bridge.
Key points
- Bank Bridge on the A59 in Tarleton has been struck three times in the space of six weeks.
- Councillor Thomas de Freitas described it as an absolute miracle that cars have not fallen off the bridge into the River Douglas.
- Concrete blocks previously placed to plug a gap were struck within a month of installation.
- The bridge is located just past a sharp right-hand bend for Southport and Liverpool-bound traffic, featuring an advisory 30mph speed limit.
- De Freitas is calling on Lancashire County Council to extend the metal safety barrier as a short-term measure to protect drivers and nearby pedestrians.
- Long-term solutions under consideration include potentially building a brand new bridge.