Request ID: FOI-2823-2324 Date published: 21 December 2023
You asked
Questions requiring response:
1) How many bridges on motorways or A-roads have sections which are in a "poor" or "very poor condition"?
2) How many pedestrian and highway bridges have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete present within them and their fixtures?
3) In the past three years, how much has been spent on repairing and upgrading bridge structures to remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete from them?
4) In the past three years, how much has been spent on repairing and upgrading bridge structures?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2823-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 November 2023 asking for information about road bridge repairs and maintenance. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Bridges and structures form a vital part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and it is essential to maintain them in accordance with safety and serviceability standards. We work hard to maintain our infrastructure and ensure that it remains safe for the public to use. A fundamental requirement to achieve high maintenance standards and to allow asset owners to understand the condition of their structural stock is to regularly undertake Safety, General and Principal Inspections of Highway Structures (in accordance with national guidance BD63/17). These inspections identify elements that might need further inspection, testing, monitoring, repair or replacement and to prioritise these works in accordance with their urgency and with the aim to guarantee safety and best value for money. Your questions and our replies are as follows:
How many bridges on motorways or A-roads have sections which are in a "poor" or "very poor condition"?
According to our latest Structures Condition for Bridges & Footbridges report dated 1 December 2023,we have 160 bridges or footbridges and 52 bridges or footbridges that are in a ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’ condition respectively (BCI critical under 65.00). Each structure is broken down into its elemental parts when inspected and scored on its condition by the severity of any defect and measured against the extent. Through a nationally agreed asset management system – Bridgestation – further refinement of the inspection data allows a numerical score – Bridge Condition Indicator – to be calculated, with one specifically targeted at the primary structural elements (BCI crit) and one that encompasses the entire structure (BCI av). This allows for a very detailed condition and risk profile to be identified and understood for each structural asset, which in turn facilitates a very targeted maintenance and asset management regime. For the avoidance of doubt, a low BCI does not suggest the structure is unsafe. This scoring identifies that enhanced inspections and/or temporary repair works are required and undertaken.
How many pedestrian and highway bridges have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete present within them and their fixtures?
At present no pedestrian and highway bridges have been identified with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
In the past three years, how much has been spent on repairing and upgrading bridge structures to remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete from them?
Zero has been spent on repairing and upgrading bridge structures to remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete from them because none has been found.
In the past three years, how much has been spent on repairing and upgrading bridge structures?
We do not hold data specifically for bridges but have data for all structures - our total capital investment across Structures for years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 was £61,063,122. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
