In spite of the great activity in bridge building which has continued in this country, as in others, since the war, it is still true to say that most bridges now existing were originally built for loads much below those they now have to bear. Many are adequate owing either to extraneous aids, such as the consolidation and cohesion of filling round them, or to their original factor of safety having been high enough to cover the effects of modern loading; but more, perhaps, need either strengthening or complete reconstruction.
C.S. Chettoe