Media centre

Thursday 16 Dec 2004

EXTENDED RAILWAY BRIDGE WORK AT WROXHAM

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

A £500,000 programme of structural work to improve the reliability of Wroxham Turnpike railway bridge on the A1151 in Wroxham, Norfolk, has been underway since October.  Partial and complete road closures have been in effect during this time.  The work was initially scheduled to be completed on Friday 10 December.  However, due to unforeseen circumstances, additional work will be needed and the programme has been extended for a further nine days until Sunday 19 December 2004.  Single lane traffic and width restrictions will continue to apply.  Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director, said: “We apologise to road users for any inconvenience the extended closure may cause.  Network Rail is committed to making sure Britain’s rail network, including bridges like this one in Wroxham, is safe and reliable.  This will bring long-term benefits to people using the roads and railway in this part of Norfolk.” Wroxham Turnpike bridge is over 100 years old and in need of structural enhancements to ensure it complies with new European standards.  Over the 10-week period of work, specialist bridge contractors have been using a 200-tonne crane to remove several of the existing beams on the bridge deck and parapet, replacing them with new, stronger beams.     Network Rail has been in close contact with local residents to provide details of the extended work, and has been working with Norfolk County Council to ensure any disruption caused by the activity is kept to an absolute minimum.