ABSTRACT
Bridges form a key part of the infrastructure of the United Kingdom (UK), which facilitates the movement of people, goods and services vital to the national economy. The total UK bridgeworks stock, probably one of the most diverse bridge stocks in the world, is estimated to be about 150000, of which about 8900 are the responsibility of the Department of Transport (DTp)1 and 129000 the responsibility of the local authorities. In general terms, the stock consists of about 70000 masonry and brick arch and culvert structures, mostly constructed prior to 1922, and about 60000 concrete and 25000 metal bridges, largely constructed post-1922. Over 90% of the bridgeworks stock consists of small bridges with a span of less than 10 m, although due to the motorway and trunk road networks the majority of the major structures are within the DTp stock. The major bridges tend to have more serious maintenance problems and in terms of percentage of initial capital cost require higher maintenance expenditure.2
