Pickmere Lane, Pickmere - Partial Arch Collapse

Due to a serious problem with the arch of the bridge over Waterless Brook, the B5391 Pickmere Lane will stay closed until further notice.

Under current Health and Safety legislation and for the safety of our workforce and members of the public, it is necessary for a road closure to be in place.

The work that is happening

Regular inspections showed that the bridge was getting worse and could collapse. To stop this from happening suddenly and causing flooding, the bridge was safely taken down in a controlled demolition in April 2025.
United Utilities has also put in a temporary diversion of the water main so homes and businesses still have water.

Replacing the bridge is a large and complicated job. It needs careful ground investigations and detailed design work. We have moved funding within our 2026-27 programme so this can go ahead.

A desk study that was carried out showed extra risks in the ground because of artesian water, halite (rock salt), and old brine pumping in the area. We are working with specialist companies to make sure we can manage these risks safely. 

Ground surveys – starting 30 March

Specialist geophysicists from our supply chain partners will begin work on site from 30 March.

Their first job will be to carry out non-intrusive ground surveys. These surveys help us spot areas of artesian water underground. This information is important so we can choose the safest and best places to drill future boreholes.

Once the survey work is finished, the data will be processed and checked. This step is necessary before we can start the intrusive ground investigation work. Those investigations will give the detailed information needed to design the replacement bridge.

We expect to have all the ground information needed for the design by mid‑May.

Site access

The site is completely closed to all traffic, including:

• vehicles
• pedestrians
• cyclists
• horse riders

Please do not move the barriers. It is unsafe to enter the area.

Diversion route

A signed diversion route is in place. All road users, including cyclists, should follow the signs. See the full diversion route.

Further information

• Emergency access cannot be allowed because of the condition of the bridge, but emergency services know about the closure and diversion.
• The road closure protects the safety of both the public and our workforce.
• Diversion routes are in place and clearly signed.
• Local businesses are still open, and access will be provided where possible using diversion routes.
• Delays are likely, so please plan your journey.
• There is no access for pedestrians or cyclists because the bridge area is unsafe.