Bridge replacement project remains 'on schedule and within budget' say Council as one year mark passes

Melton Borough Council has this afternoon (Tuesday) confirmed that initial site investigations have been completed and the project to replace a broken bridge in Melton Country Park is on schedule.

The bridge was severely damaged during the severe flooding and heavy rainfall in January 2025 and has been out of action ever since.

Melton Borough Council confirmed back in October that Engineers from Danaher and Walsh have been carrying out investigation works by the bridge which was described as a 'key step' in the bridge repairs process and would enable the Council to finalise the deisgn of the new bridge with the aim of completing it by Summer 2026.

The bridge pictured in January 2025 during the floods which caused the damage. Photo: NEMM

As we pass the year mark since the damage occured, NEMM contacted Melton Borough Council for an update on the project.

Councillors initially gave the green light to allocate £200,000 worth of funding to the project back in July last year.

The bridge had been insured for £150,000 but the insurers offered only £80,000 for repairs and because a full replacement was required, the council will need to help fund the remainder.

Councillors agreed to allocate £200,000 to the project with the council likely to pay up to £125,000 of that with the remainder coming from a number of other sources including Section 106 money and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

A spokesperson for Melton Borough Council said: " We are pleased to share the latest progress on the Country Park Bridge project. Site investigations have now concluded, and design work is actively underway. Applications for the necessary environmental permits have been submitted, and the project continues to remain on schedule and within budget.

“We are currently awaiting the approval process for the Environment Agency permit and a further update will be provided once the permit has been granted."

It's been confirmed by the Met Office today (Tuesday) that a yellow weather warning has been issued for the Melton area this week with Storm Goretti likely to bring heavy snow leaving to disruption and difficult travelling conditions later this week.

The warning is in place from 6pm on Thursday until midday on Friday.