Fromebridge Mill

Key Dimensions
Existing Bridge Structure:	Width at water	7.2m	Width of roadway	2.33m
	Headroom	~1m

Proposed Replacement:	Width at water	7.2m	Width of roadway	2.33m
	Headroom	2.4m
	Draft	2.0m
Owner	Fromebridge Mill

Background Information

Until the 1980s Fromebridge Mill was still operational using water power. This had a major influence both on the level of the river upstream, its land drainage function and early navigation restoration options as this fixed the water levels in the river and thus limited the headroom under the A38 and M5.

Fromebridge Mill is now a popular local restaurant and the mill machinery is no longer in an operational condition. Even if, at some future date, some functionality were to be restored, an undershoot wheel could provide the limited motive power required as against the current overshoot wheel arrangement. The option therefore exits to relocate the mill weir upstream of the M5 to create sufficient headroom under the A38 and M5.

Parking for the resturant is to the south of the mill and on the opposite bank of the river. A simple bridge exists but is too narrow for delivery vehicles gain access and is therefore effectively a footbridge only but one which can accommodate disabled access.

Behind the mill is the original mill race and channel. At present very little water flows this way with the majority of the flow passing between the mill and the car park where flow rates can be quite high.

Restoration Considerations

The work needed at Fromebridge Mill is highly dependant on which route option is selected. There is little doubt that any restored navigation passing close to the mill will enhance an already very successful business and amenity.

The driveway leading from the A38 to the Mill car park crosses the flood plain so any works which require a fixed road bridge with embankments to cross a navigation here could face opposition from the EA.

Assuming that navigation is restored along the existing river rather than in a separate channel, only the existing foot access bridge would need to be raised. The flow rates currently observed in the channle under this bridge would hamper navigation and make mooring difficult. Using the mill race channel behind the mill to dissipate some of the flow in the other channel would significantly improve the situation.

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