Winvic Construction has been appointed by Durham County Council to design and build repair works to Witton-le-Wear Bridge on the A68, its first scheme under the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) framework.
The company will act as design and build contractor for essential works to the bridge, which carries the A68 over the River Wear near the village of Witton-le-Wear in County Durham. Design work is under way, in partnership with Mott MacDonald, with completion scheduled for summer 2027.
Built around 1970, the bridge comprises two arched, tapered in-situ reinforced concrete beams supporting a reinforced concrete slab deck. Changes in the river’s alignment, caused by an upstream gravel bank, have led to erosion of the riverbanks and the southern embankment near the bridge pier, resulting in localised undercutting and damage to the paved apron. The northern pier and embankment are now also being assessed, with Durham County Council and appointed professionals monitoring the situation closely.
Construction work will focus on preventing further embankment erosion, protecting the bridge structure and carrying out refurbishment or replacement works to ensure the long-term resilience of the route. Following completion of survey and design works, Winvic will issue Durham County Council with options for recommended repairs to the structure and scour protection measures to the southern embankment extending upstream of the bridge. The final design solution will be confirmed following detailed river modelling, durability assessments and cost analysis.
Rob Cook, managing director for civils and infrastructure at Winvic, said: “Securing our first scheme through the NEPO framework with Durham County Council is a significant milestone for our civils and infrastructure sector. The Witton-le-Wear Bridge is a key route on the A68, and we are proud to support Durham County Council in strengthening this vital link for the local community and the region.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with Durham County Council and our design partner Mott MacDonald to deliver a durable, long-term solution that benefits residents, businesses and regional connectivity for years to come.”
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