HIGHWAYS chiefs in Britain say they will assess any lessons from the Genoa bridge disaster and adopt necessary changes for structures here.

As many as 20 people could still be missing in the rubble of the collapsed Morandi Bridge.

Searchers have been combing through tonnes of debris since the collapse of the structure on Tuesday which left 39 people confirmed dead.

Speaking today, 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.”

The UK's three newest bridges, Northern Spire in Sunderland, Queensferry Crossing in Scotland and Mersey Gateway are cable stayed, but are constructed differently to the bridge in Genoa.

  • 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.
  • Britain has a rigorous inspection regime for all of structures, which takes into account design, age and the 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.