Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Chetwynd Bridge

14 October 2026 · 4 other contributors · 2,848 words

Opened by Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield

Responding minister: Simon Lightwood

Local Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Dave Robertson raised concerns about chetwynd bridge in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Chetwynd Bridge, the oldest cast-iron bridge in the country spanning the River Tame in Staffordshire, has been closed to heavy traffic since 2019, causing significant delays and detours.
  • Dave Robertson requests the Government to provide a timeline for the progress of the structures fund necessary for the bridge replacement.
  • Robertson also asks for a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss the timeline for the bridge replacement further.

Key requests to Government

Robertson asks the Government to provide a timeline for the progress of the structures fund, which the council needs to fund the replacement of the bridge. He also requests a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss the timeline further.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield

Dave Robertson is concerned about the deteriorating condition of Chetwynd Bridge, which is the oldest cast-iron bridge in the country and spans the River Tame in Staffordshire. Since 2019, the bridge has been closed to heavy traffic, leading to significant delays and detours for vehicles, including emergency services and businesses. The closure of the bridge results in an 18-mile detour for heavy goods vehicles, causing economic and social disruption. He cited the importance of the bridge for emergency services, businesses, and the economy, particularly the logistics and retail and wholesale sectors.

Other contributors (4)
  • Jacob Collier Con Burton and Uttoxeter

    Supported the hon. Gentleman's campaign, noting its relevance to his constituency's businesses and residents, and stressing the need for the structures fund to be allocated appropriately. Jacob Collier emphasizes the importance of Chetwynd Bridge for the local economy, especially for businesses in Burton and the surrounding area. He notes the significant detour and congestion caused by the bridge's closure, affecting both emergency services and commercial traffic.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Committed to securing this debate, highlighting the impact of heavy traffic and weight restrictions on Chetwynd bridge, and calling for significant multimillion-pound funding bids to protect heritage and build modern bypasses.

  • Samantha Niblett Con South Derbyshire

    Highlighted the economic importance of festivals held at Catton Hall, noting that just three festivals have brought £20 million to the local economy, and underscored the broader economic significance of the bridge issue. Samantha Niblett stresses the significance of Chetwynd Bridge for communities in South Derbyshire and highlights the economic and social impact of its partial closure, including the importance of the bridge for emergency services and logistics businesses.

  • Sarah Edwards Con Tamworth

    Expressed concern over the extra costs and environmental impacts caused by the bridge's diversion, particularly for farmers, and stressed the urgency of obtaining a new bridge after 20 years of delays. Sarah Edwards supports the urgent replacement of Chetwynd Bridge, emphasizing its importance for local businesses, emergency services, and events in her constituency. She mentions the economic impact of the bridge closure on haulage and logistics, highlighting the need for a swift resolution.

Government Response

Simon Lightwood

It is a pleasure to see Ms McVey in the Chair. I commend the commitment of my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Dave Robertson) to seeing Chetwynd Bridge replaced. The Government are committed to improving local roads, acknowledging the costs of restrictions and closures on businesses and drivers. With record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years, we aim to shift from reactive fixes to proactive maintenance, reducing unplanned disruptions. The structures fund, launched to address deteriorating infrastructure, will provide capital funding for repair or replacement of major local highway structures that local highway authorities cannot afford. Eligible assets include bridges, flyovers, and retaining walls. Staffordshire county council submitted Chetwynd Bridge for the fund, demonstrating local support for its replacement. I recognise the challenges posed by modern traffic to old assets and the importance of the bridge to local communities, businesses, and key stakeholders. The current restrictions are causing disruption, but the bridge remains open to some traffic. We will update constituents as soon as possible when we announce the successful structures fund schemes.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy