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Friday 23 Jul 2004

£2M UPGRADE OF WHITACRE HEATH BRIDGE COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

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A £2m project to allow bigger freight trains to pass under Whitacre Heath Bridge, North Warwickshire, has been completed two weeks ahead of schedule. The project is part of a key upgrade on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route, allowing freight trains to carry the standard European container, which are more than a foot taller than their British counterparts. Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Route Director for London North Western commented: “The essential engineering work at Whitacre Heath bridge demonstrates Network Rail’s commitment to improving Britain’s railway. “I am delighted that the work was completed ahead of time and the whole team worked extremely hard to ensure this happened. We recognise the inconvenience the closure of Station Road has caused for the local residents including the businesses, and have consulted closely with them throughout the project to take their comments and requests on board.” The project was due for completion on Sunday 1 August following a 15-week road closure at the bridge over the railway at Station Road, but this was re-opened at 5pm on Sunday 18 July, two weeks ahead of schedule. -more- Whitacre - 2 Funded by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), the project involved the demolition of two spans of a three span brick arch to be replaced with pre-cast concrete units, in order to allow freight trains to carry the standard European container, which is taller by a foot over its British counterpart. Following consultation with the local parish council, changes were also made to the design of the bridge to create a wider footpath, increasing the width from 2ft to 4ft. The opening was marked when one of the local residents crossed the bridge in a1935 Austin car. This followed a ribbon cutting ceremony with the site team. The local community will also benefit from the replacement of the aged fencing around Peggs Barn. Network Rail has installed the fencing in consultation with the Coleshill Civic Society, which owns the historic building.