Media centre

Tuesday 1 Nov 2016

South Oxfordshire residents reminded of temporary road closure

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents in Wantage, Grove and Challow are reminded of the temporary closure of the A338 Wantage Road Bridge from 11 to 14 November as Network Rail remove the old bridge.

As part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger and better railway for passengers, Network Rail installed a new bridge, built slightly higher than its predecessor to allow room for overhead wires for new electric trains to run beneath it, and left the existing bridge open to traffic in order to minimise disruption.

The new bridge was opened in July this year and work will now be undertaken to remove the old bridge.

To allow the work to be done safely, the A338 Wantage Road Bridge in Grove will be closed from 10pm on Friday, 11 November until 6am on Monday,14 November.

Network Rail has worked with Oxfordshire County Council to ensure the bridge will be closed for the shortest time possible, minimising disruption to residents and businesses.

The closure will not affect access to The Volunteer pub located on the south side of the bridge.

Graeme Tandy, Network Rail’s project director for the Thames Valley area, said: “The improvements we are carrying out are essential in order to bring our railway into the 21st century and improve passengers' experience.

“I’d like to thank residents and motorists in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry out this work, which will pave the way for electrification and the benefits this will bring. These benefits include faster trains with more seats and more leg room, as well as less noise and cleaner air for those who live close to the railway.”

ENDS