Save Our Bridge: Historic Milford Mill Bridge is Damaged Again

Please Sign the Petition

The medieval Milford Mill Bridge is a Grade 1 Listed structure dating from the late 15th Century. English Heritage only awards this level of Grade to buildings and monuments officially regarded as being of national importance. Salisbury has 37 Grade 1 buildings and structures.

Milford Bridge lies on the route from the original walled city up to Henry II’s Clarendon Palace. In recent years it has suffered repeated damage from massive HGVs seeking a GPS-guided shortcut to and from the Southampton Road. Residents will, of course, be aware of the occasions that improbably large lorries have become wedged along Petersfinger. It is now graphically apparent that the refusal of the drivers of these vehicles to obey the clearly-signed weight restrictions is threatening the survival of our nationally important bridge.

The rapidly escalating problem of drivers breaking the law is compounded by the failure of the police to enforce the restrictions.

We therefore address our concerns and our requests to: Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner,Angus Macpherson, MBE; Councillor Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways.

We petition that the following measures be urgently implemented:

Vehicle weight restriction for Milford Mill Road to be cut to 3.5 tons

Police to enforce those weight restrictions

The extension of the 20 MPH limit to the east of the bridge. This restriction will have the further advantage of protecting pedestrians using the bridge

Placing of CCTV at Milford Bridge, and the possible placement of physical barriers at the start of Milford Mill Road if the above measures prove insufficient

Milford Bridge has graced our community for over 500-years. At a time of rapid change, it brings a profound sense of local attachment into our daily lives. Please support our campaign to protect this beautiful corner of England so that Milford Bridge will afford the same quiet contentment to the generations which follow us.