Wednesday 1 Dec 2021
Residents invited to virtual drop-in event to find out about Torbay Road bridge replacement
- Region & Route:
- Wales & Western: Western
- | Wales & Western
Network Rail is inviting the local community to attend a virtual drop-in event this Thursday (2 December) where they can find out more about the forthcoming Torbay Road bridge replacement.
Network Rail and Torbay Council are hosting a Facebook Live event at 6pm this Thursday to preview the replacement of the life-expired bridge over the railway line on Torbay Road in Torquay and simultaneous road improvements in the area.
Those attending the online event will have the opportunity to hear more about why this work is necessary and have any questions or queries answered by members of the Network Rail project team and Torbay Council.
From the last week of December, Network Rail will be in the area to set up a site office and compound ready for the bridge replacement work to start on Monday 3 January 2022.
The project will require the removal of the road surface and dismantling of the existing bridge before a new one is lifted into position and the road surface is replaced. While Network Rail is replacing the bridge, Torbay Council will be undertaking work to improve the road surface.
In total, the work to replace the bridge is expected to take 9 weeks to complete while the council road improvements will last approximately 12 weeks. During this time, Torbay Road will be closed either side of the railway bridge with diversion route in place. Local access for residents living nearby will be maintained.
Michael Clapham, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: “The bridge at Torbay Road is old and coming to the end of its lifespan. To ensure that trains can continue to run safely, we’ll be replacing the existing structure with a brand-new bridge.
“To make sure the condition of bridge doesn’t deteriorate, we’ll need to completely close the road so that the replacement can be installed safely. While the road closure is in place, Torbay Council will be using this time to resurface the road at Torwood Street.
“We know that this will be inconvenient for drivers and local residents and we apologise for the disruption this work will cause. If you have any questions, please do join the Facebook Live event that we’re attending alongside Torbay Council where you’ll be able to find out more.”
To join the Facebook Live event, please follow the Torbay Council Facebook page. The event will start at 6pm on Thursday 2 December; if you’re unable to attend on the day, an on-demand recording will be made available at www.torbay.gov.uk
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Emily Maiden
Network Rail
Emily.Maiden@networkrail.co.uk
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
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