Traffic Flows at Whitchurch Bridge (updated 3rd October 2007)
Whitchurch Bridge is a busy river crossing carrying the B471 over the Thames, and is used by around 6,500 vehicles during a typical working day (over 24 hours) in school term time. The nearest alternative crossings are at Caversham Bridge in Reading, about 5 miles downstream, and at Streatley-on-Thames, about 5 miles upstream.
During weekday rush hours traffic queues often build up on the Bridge and its approaches because of congestion on the roads in Pangbourne and Whitchurch-on-Thames. The Company takes care to manage the Toll collection process so as to not to cause a build up of traffic at the Toll Booth.
A traffic counting and classification system, supplied by Golden River Traffic Ltd, is installed at the Toll Booth and provides the Whitchurch Bridge Company with valuable management information. The system consists of wire loops under the road surface and computer software which counts and classifies vehicles, according to their axle configuration, within pre-defined time intervals.
Overall traffic levels have not changed significantly over recent years. However, there are noticeably fewer crossing during school holidays, and local events such as the Reading Rock Festival, Woodcote Steam Rally and the Goring Heath Horse Trials generate significant extra traffic.
About 50% of crossings are paid for using Bridge Cards (click here for details of Bridge Cards). An analysis of the Bridge Card database has been undertaken, which has identified the distribution of Bridge Card ownership by postcode and the variation in usage of Bridge Cards. Click here for details of this analysis.
Heavy vehicles
There is a statutory weight limit of 7.5 tonnes mgw on the Bridge. This is widely signed by the local Highways authority on the approaches to the Bridge, but notwithstanding this signage overweight vehicles travelling southwards sometimes arrive at the Toll Booth. Toll collectors are instructed to refuse such vehicles permission to cross, and to contact the Police to resolve any traffic congestion issues and assist in turning long vehicles. This usually involves the vehicle reversing back up the B471, through Whitchurch-on-Thames, causing further traffic delays.
There is also a local environmental weight limit in Whitchurch-on-Thames of 7.5 tonnes mgw. The Police have powers to prosecute the drivers of vehicles which contravene this weight limit.
The local road network is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, with narrow roads and one-way sections in both Whitchurch and Pangbourne. The low (11ft headroom) railway bridge in Pangbourne normally prevents heavy vehicles from approaching the Bridge from the south.
The Whitchurch Bridge Company does not wish to see heavy vehicles using its Bridge, and has agreed with Oxfordshire County Council (as Highways authority) that an enforceable 7.5 tonnes mgw weight limit can and will be retained on the Bridge following its reconstruction in 2013.