VILLAGERS in Eastham are meeting with their MP at the collapsed bridge this morning (Friday, May 27).

They will meet with Harriett Baldwin, the MP for West Worcestershire that includes Tenbury, looking for answers to questions about why the historic bridge suddenly collapsed into the River Teme on Tuesday afternoon (Tuesday, May 24).

No one was hurt in the collapse but mini buses were approaching the historic bridge when it fell into the River Teme.

Engineers from Worcestershire County Council will continue an investigation but the authority says that it had been inspected in line with requirements.

“The bridge has regularly been inspected,” said Councillor Marcus Hart, the Council’s Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Highways.

“At Worcestershire County Council we go over and above what is set out by Government guidelines when it comes to the safety of our bridges.”

He said that the bridge that is a grade II listed monument dating back to 1793 was last inspected in December 2015.

At the time that the bridge collapsed river level was normal for the time of the year and it is understood that it had not been struck by any vehicle.

Villagers are also looking for answers to the long extensions to journeys resulting from the collapse. This could include a temporary bridge whilst the damaged one is repaired.

It is expected that it will be many months before the bridge can be repaired and back in use.

“The most important thing is that no one was hurt in the incident but we do understand the frustrations that people now face because of diversions to their regular journeys,” added Marcus Hart.