PLANS to repair damage caused by water leaks on a historic bridge in Christchurch have been submitted to the council.

The Grade I listed Waterloo Bridge in Bridge Street has previously undergone major work a few years ago.

But now, engineers from Dorset County Council plan to repair the underside of the structure, which is leaking water from the road above.

The bridge is one of the main routes into the town centre, and crosses the River Avon.

A planning application for the works has been submitted to Christchurch Borough Council.

The road will remain open throughout the work, the county council have confirmed.

John Burridge, Dorset County Council bridge management team leader, said: “We’ll be working on the underside of the bridge to repair damage to the masonry caused by weathering, and from long term seepage of water through the structure of the road above.

“We don’t need to close the road for this work as we will be able to carry out our repairs from the river under the bridge.

“Due to working from the river, within a tidal area, there are environmental constraints on our work and we will be applying for the necessary consents – which will need to be granted before work can start, as well as gaining consent to work on a listed building.”

The previous works in 2012, which closed the busy route, stopped the water seepage by installing a concrete slab underneath the road surface.

A waterproof membrane was then laid over the concrete before the road was resurfaced.

Now the bridge has ‘dried out’ and the masonry repairs can be undertaken.

The work is part of Dorset Highways £15m annual maintenance programme.