Press release: Highways England statement in response to Genoa bridge collapse

Please find below the Highways England statement in response to the tragic bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy.

Highways England Chief Highways Engineer Mike Wilson said:

Our deepest sympathies are with everyone involved in the tragic bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy.

We can reassure drivers that safety is and always will be our top priority.

We have detailed design standards and quality control processes to ensure bridges are designed and constructed to provide safe and comfortable journeys for road users. This is supported by a thorough and regular regime for inspecting all structures, including bridges, on England’s motorways and major “A” roads and taking any necessary action to help ensure they stay safe.

A very small proportion of our structures are suspension or cable stayed bridges but none of them are of similar construction to the one in Genoa.

We’re committed to continually improving our network to make every journey the safest it can be. So when the causes of the Genoa bridge collapse have been investigated and reported, we will carefully assess any lessons to be learnt and will bring in any required changes to standards and processes.

Background

• there are more than 21,000 structures on England’s network of motorways and major “A” roads, none of which are of similar design to the one in Italy
• Highways England has a rigorous inspection regime for all structures, which takes into account design, age and likely maintenance needs
• general inspections are undertaken every two years with more detailed principal inspections typically every six years which involve close inspection of all parts of a structure

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.