Claims after bridge ice closures

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Twelve claims for compensation have been made following the closure of the Severn crossings due to falling ice last year, it has emerged.

The Highways Agency released the figure in response to a Freedom of Information request by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks.

The bridges were closed last year after ice fell from an overhead cable and smashed into car windscreens.

Technology used to predict ice and snow conditions on a Japanese bridge are now being used to monitor conditions.

The crossings over the Severn estuary were both shut in February last year when metre-sized sheets of ice fell from signs. The second crossing was also closed in December for similar reasons.

Predictions

The closures - the first in the bridges' history - were said by the Highways Agency to be due to "unusual" weather conditions.

As a result, the agency is working closely with the Met Office to predict ice fall in case the bridges need to be closed for safety in the future.

Following the first closures, the Highways Agency commissioned consultants to research incidents on cable-system bridges in Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United States and Japan.

Software used on the Hakucho Suspension Bridge in Japan was looked at, with recommendations that similar technology be used to monitor the Severn crossings.

What the Japanese are doing, we are doing Highways Agency spokeswoman

In the Winter Resilience Report, Mott MacDonald said the implication of injury to users of the Severn crossings in the event of falling ice would be "serious".

Visible patrols

"The review has shown that the criteria adopted by the Japanese on the Hakucho Suspension Bridge would enable a reasonable prediction of snow/ice accretion on the Severn Crossing to trigger the operator to undertake visual patrols," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "We did do studies after the bridge was closed at the beginning of last year in February.

"We work very closely with the Met Office. They give us detailed information about weather conditions and if there is a danger of ice building up on the structure, we do send patrols out.

"The technology used in Japan is nothing that is financially viable for us. It is astronomically expensive. But what the Japanese are doing, we are doing by working with the Met Office rather than doing it ourselves. It makes sense to use them as they are the experts."

Early warning

Plaid Cymru's Chris Franks asked for the information in a Freedom of Information request.

The South Wales Central AM said: "My concern in raising this issue with the Highways Agency was borne out of concern for the safety of drivers crossing both Severn bridges after the last incident in December 2009.

"It is vital that every measure is taken so that there is an early warning system of potential weather conditions which could lead to a build-up of ice so it can be treated before there is any danger to the public. And if that can't be done then the bridges must be closed."