Media centre

Monday 18 Jul 2016

Hexham railway bridge reopens

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Hexham railway bridge has reopened following extensive improvement work by Network Rail.

Investment in bridge, which forms part of the Railway Upgrade Plan in Northumberland, has been closed since 6 June with engineers carrying out repairs to the steelwork and masonry, waterproofing, repainting and resurfacing the road. Essential work on gas pipes which run through the bridge were also carried out at the same time to keep disruption to a minimum.

Although originally planned to reopen today (Monday 18 July) work was finished slightly ahead of schedule meaning the bridge was able to reopen over the weekend of July 16/17.

Area Director Mark Tarry said: “I want to thank the people of Hexham and the surrounding communities who have been affected by the significant road diversion which was necessary so that we could safely carry out our improvement work on the bridge. 

“We know it has been disruptive and we are pleased that we have finished slightly ahead of schedule and that the road will reopen this weekend.  Our work means the bridge is safe to serve the local community for many years to come.  Work on the utilities which run through the bridge has been completed at the same time as our repairs and painting which will prevent the need  for further disruption at another time.”

Cllr Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services at Northumberland County Council, added:  “We are very pleased that work is now complete on the bridge, and look forward to reopening it tomorrow.

“We appreciate that this essential work to the bridge has caused some disruption for residents, visitors and businesses, and would like to thank everyone for their patience.

“The bridge project has been completed within timescales and the traffic management arrangements have worked well.

“Through our streetworks team we do everything that we can to coordinate work to minimise disruption.  
“At the same time as the bridge closure a number of other pieces of work have been completed - avoiding the need for further closures at other times.  These include replacing the gas main, resurfacing a significant stretch of road in the vicinity of the bridge and enabling an electricity connection to be installed for the new garage near the A69.”