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Review of road bridges in England Review of road bridges in England
(about 2 hours later)
A review of bridges on England's motorways and A-roads has begun following the collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River.A review of bridges on England's motorways and A-roads has begun following the collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River.
The Highways Agency says its engineers will check any bridges that have features similar to those which may have caused the tragedy in the US.The Highways Agency says its engineers will check any bridges that have features similar to those which may have caused the tragedy in the US.
But it says there are no bridges on its English network identical to the one in Minneapolis, Minnesota.But it says there are no bridges on its English network identical to the one in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Four people are confirmed dead and at least eight people are missing.Four people are confirmed dead and at least eight people are missing.
'Similar features''Similar features'
A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the Minnesota structure was a truss girder bridge, none of which has been identified in England so far.A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the Minnesota structure was a truss girder bridge, none of which has been identified in England so far.
She added: "We are monitoring information about the Minnesota bridge and awaiting information about what appears to be the cause.She added: "We are monitoring information about the Minnesota bridge and awaiting information about what appears to be the cause.
"As a matter of routine at times like this, we review the data we have on our bridges for any similar features." The probability is that everything is fine John KnaptonProfessor of civil engineering class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/6929777.stm">How safe are UK bridges? "As a matter of routine at times like this, we review the data we have on our bridges for any similar features."
The checks were being carried out using the agency's database.The checks were being carried out using the agency's database.
John Knapton, professor of civil engineering at Liverpool University, told BBC News 24 the agency's review made sense.John Knapton, professor of civil engineering at Liverpool University, told BBC News 24 the agency's review made sense.
He added: "The probability is that everything is fine.He added: "The probability is that everything is fine.
"But as a safety precaution I think they've taken the right decision.""But as a safety precaution I think they've taken the right decision."
The agency is responsible for England's motorways and major A-roads, which between them have about 17,000 bridges.The agency is responsible for England's motorways and major A-roads, which between them have about 17,000 bridges.
A total of 50 vehicles were thrown into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in Minnesota gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening.A total of 50 vehicles were thrown into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in Minnesota gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening.