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Monday 28 Oct 2013

Major bridge improvement work in Warwickshire

Region & Route:

Motorists using Coventry Road in Bulkington, Warwickshire should allow extra time for their journeys for the next month as Network Rail undertakes a major project to repair and improve a bridge repeatedly hit by oversize vehicles. As a result, the bridge will be closed to vehicles with a diversionary route in place.

Network Rail engineers will be undertaking a programme of repairs to the steelwork and masonry, giving the bridge a new coat of paint and installing a collision protection beam to prevent damage and delay from oversize vehicles striking the bridge.

Nichola Smith, project manager for Network Rail, commented: “The work at Coventry Road is essential to reduce delays along the West Coast Main Line and we’ve worked closely with the local authority to minimise disruption to motorists as much as possible. Despite the bridge being clearly marked, it has a history of being struck by oversize vehicles, so the work we will be completing will reduce the risk of damage and delay from bridge strike’s in the future.”

Coventry Road south of Bulkington will be closed from Monday 4 November and will reopen on Monday 9 December. Diversionary routes will be clearly signposted.

The bridge will remain open for pedestrian access throughout the project.