MEADOW LANE BRIDGE STRENGTHENING ROAD CLOSURE MARCH 1

Wednesday 25 Feb 2004

MEADOW LANE BRIDGE STRENGTHENING ROAD CLOSURE MARCH 1 – JUNE 1 2004

Region & Route:

Network Rail is about to start work on a £1.5 million project to strengthen Meadow Lane railway bridge in Loughborough to enable it to meet new EU standards to carry 40 tonne vehicles. The project is being part-funded by Leicestershire County Council and will see the strengthening of the three-span bridge carrying Meadow Lane over the Midland Mainline. In order to carry out the work the road will be closed to vehicular traffic for thirteen weeks, with pedestrian access maintained by a temporary footbridge. The road closure will take effect from 07.00 on Monday 1 March and is scheduled to re-open on Tuesday 1 June. A signed diversion route via the A6 and A6006 has been agreed with Leicestershire County Council. The engineering work will include: · Replacement of the metal beam span over the slow lines with a pre-stressed concrete beam deck. · Replacement of the existing brick parapets over the full length of the structure with a modern high containment brick parapet. · Installation of safety barriers on approaches to the bridge. -more- M-lane - 2 Andy Milne, Bridge Engineer for Network Rail Midlands Region explained “The essential engineering work taking place to strengthen the bridge plays an important part in Network Rail’s commitment to rebuilding Britain’s railway and is an element of our partnership work with local authorities around the country to strengthen road/rail bridges to meet new EU standards.” There will be no requirement for diversion of train services as a result of the bridge strengthening work.

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