Media centre

Monday 16 May 2016

Closure of Aldershot high street for railway bridge replacement: revised dates

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Essential work to upgrade a railway bridge in Aldershot will see the high street closed for three weeks over the next three months.

The 120-year-old bridge, which is being upgraded by Network Rail as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan, is in need of renewal having reached the end of its serviceable life.

Work will take place from Friday, 20 May to the early hours of Monday, 23 May and then Monday, 20 June to Friday, 8 July (inclusive). During these periods the town’s High Street will be closed to vehicles. In addition, a half closure of the High Street (one lane closed with two-way traffic lights), will be in place from 9 May to 20 May.

There will also be a diversion on Victoria Road from Wednesday 22 June to Monday 27 June (inclusive), during which time the section of Victoria Road from the High Street to Albert Road will be closed to traffic.

During the road closures, footpaths on the High Street and Victoria Road will remain open to pedestrians, with the exception of the footpaths directly underneath the bridge.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “At over 120 years old, the bridge is in need of an upgrade to improve the reliability of the railway for passengers. We understand that while the road remains open to pedestrians, closing it to traffic is not ideal. We’re working to minimise the disruption to passengers, businesses and the community as far as possible.

“We’re keen to stress that Aldershot high street remains very much open for business during these three weeks. We really appreciate the community’s understanding while we carry out these essential works.”

Network Rail will do everything it can, working closely with its contractor Osborne, to re-open the High Street as soon as possible in July, and will regularly update stakeholders on the progress of the works to let the local community know if this date can be brought forward. 

Network Rail is completing the work by painting the bridge in blue and red, in recognition of the town’s football team and military heritage.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

In a press release issued on 11 May 2016 (‘New Aldershot railway-bridge to be painted blue and red in honour of town heritage’), we incorrectly stated the work would take place over two weekend dates.

During full closures the High Street will be closed to traffic from the South side of the junction of Crimea Road and the A323 (High Street) and the North side of the junction of Redan Road and the A323. Footpaths on the High Street and Victoria Road will remain open to pedestrians, with the exception of the footpaths directly underneath the bridge.

There will also be a short diversion on Victoria Road from Wednesday 22 June to Monday 27 June (inclusive), during which time the section of Victoria Road from the High Street to Albert Road will be closed to traffic.

For passenger information, please visit southwesttrains.co.uk