ADEPT welcomes opening of the Structures Fund
James Bailey, Chair of ADEPT's Engineering Board said: "We welcome the opening of the government’s new Structures Fund - ADEPT’s National Bridges Group has worked closely with DfT since the fund was first announced to help shape something fit for purpose for local authorities.
"The scale of the challenge should not be underestimated. The maintenance backlog across England's local authority bridges is significant and runs far in excess of the £1 billion available through this fund. The Structures Fund is an important and welcome step, but it is the beginning of addressing a backlog that has built up over many years.
"Structures are critical parts of our highway network. When one fails, the consequences are immediate and far-reaching, leading to extensive diversions, disrupted communities and damaged local economies. We encourage every eligible authority to engage with this process and look forward to continuing to work with DfT as the fund develops."