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Tuesday 29 May 2007

SALTLEY VIADUCT SET FOR STRENTHENING REPAIR WORK

Region & Route:

Network Rail in partnership with Birmingham City Council is strengthening Saltley Viaduct to bring it line with the latest European standards. The £600,000 project will also include some areas of brickwork repair. The viaduct which carries traffic over the railway and canal will be closed throughout the project for strengthening work to allow the bridge to carry the large commercial road vehicles now permitted on Britain's roads under recent EU legislation. To minimise disruption some brickwork repairs will be carried out at the same time. Network Rail's Area General Manager, Chris Rowley, said: "This project is part of a massive upgrading programme which is being conducted on hundreds of bridges across the UK. The work will ensure that this important route can remain open for many years to come." Birmingham City Council, Chief Highway Engineer, Neil Dancer said: "Drivers are advised that Saltley Viaduct will be closed from Monday 4th June to Sunday 12th August when the project is due to be completed. Local residents have been informed and diversionary routes will be well signed for motorists. Pedestrian access will be maintained across the bridge at all times." The diversion routes for traffic will be:

• For local traffic: Heartlands Parkway, Aston Church Road and Washwood Heath Road.
• For through traffic from the North West/North East: Heartland Parkway, Bromford Lane, Drews Lane and Washwood Heath Road.
• For through traffic from the South West/South East: Nechell's Parkway, Lawley Middleway, Garrison Lane, Bordesley Green, Bordesley Green Road, Ash Road and Adderley Road.