Safety Inspectors at National Highways have spotted “serious defects” on the Eastville Viaduct on the M32 in Bristol.

The BBC reports they’ve ordered repairs costing £22.6m, including concrete repairs, new barriers, waterproofing and drainage.

The report adds that underneath the bridge, several large areas of spalling, when concrete starts cracking and exposing reinforced steel, can be seen.

Sean Walsh, route manager for National Highways, told the BBC the bridge will need “significant renewal”, and “While the viaduct remains structurally sound, we have been working in conjunction with consultants to develop the plans, with traffic modelling under way to ensure the works cause the minimum disruption possible.”

(Picture – Google Streetview)