Staffordshire County Council has submitted the historic Chetwynd Bridge for consideration under the government's Structures Fund on 3 August 2026. The Grade II* listed bridge near Alrewas is a critical gateway to the National Memorial Arboretum and an important route for visitors, residents and local communities.
The bid is backed by endorsements from both local MPs, the National Memorial Arboretum and nearby Catton Park, plus a fully costed business case and design.
What would the funding deliver?
If successful, the bid would see a brand-new bridge built near the current structure, with Chetwynd Bridge itself retained as a footbridge. The project is estimated to cost £46 million, with the county council contributing £6 million should the bid succeed. The new design would maintain a key route connecting the Alrewas/A38 corridor with Tamworth, which serves businesses and supports the wider local and regional economy.
The existing bridge is currently under weight and width restrictions to preserve it.
What happens if the bid fails?
County council officers have warned that should the bid be unsuccessful, there is a real possibility that the bridge would have to close permanently due to continuing degradation of the structure, exacerbated by vehicles not respecting the weight and width restrictions in place.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for Strategic Highways, said the council has "full confidence" in the bid. He also called for a national long-term fund for structures, noting that Staffordshire has more than 500 structures over 100 years old that would take more than 500 years to repair under current funding levels.
The Department for Transport is expected to announce successful bids at a later date.
