Media centre

Monday 16 Sep 2013

Bridge improvement works begin in Dinsdale

Region & Route:

Work to allowing larger freight containers from Teesport to be transported by rail rather than road is underway in Dinsdale.

Over the next two weeks Network Rail engineers will use a crane to install a temporary footbridge which will give pedestrian and cycle access over the railway while the bridge next to the station is fully replaced.

The bridge work is part of a £4.7m investment in the rail line between Teesport and the East Coast Main Line.

Mark Tarry, area director for Network Rail, said: “The ability to transport freight by rail is essential to our economy. Each freight train we can run on our network takes around 50 lorries off our roads. However, because much of the freight is in large, square containers, we need to make alterations to the network to make sure the containers can fit. We always seek to minimise the disruption caused by this work and work closely with local highways authorities to meticulously plan any work which affects rights of way.”

Engineers have been on site in Dinsdale since the end of August setting up the site compound. A four month road closure begins on 27 September.

Mr Tarry added: “We apologise for the inconvenience this work will cause in Dinsdale. The length of time the work will take has been extended because a number of utilities run through the bridge and these need to be safely diverted in order to protect services. I assure our neighbours every possible step will be taken to complete the work quickly and efficiently with minimum disruption.”

The footbridge will give pedestrian access between Belle Vue Terrace and Middleton Lane past Dinsdale Station on the station side of the road. It will be accessed from ramps to the station platforms. The bridge is designed so that prams, wheelchairs and bikes can use the bridge.

Rail services will operate as normal during the project and the platforms will be accessible at all times, apart from during the extended weekend when the bridge will be demolished (25–29 October 2013) when a bus replacement service will operate.

A signed road diversion route has been agreed using the A67, A66 (between A67/Yarm Road junction and Neasham Road/Football Stadium junction), Neasham Road, then via Neasham to Middleton St George).

Local traffic will still be able to access Middleton One Row via the local road passing the entrance to Middleton Hall. Local residents will be able to access their properties in Dinsdale Close, Dinsdale Court, the Greenway and Belle Vue Terrace.