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Friday 17 Jun 2016

Truro residents to benefit from Saveock bridge upgrade as part of railway improvements

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents in Truro, Cornwall, will soon benefit from an upgrade to the Saveock bridge as Network Rail prepares to carry out extensive improvement work that will ensure the future of this vital route for motorists into and out of the city centre.

The work forms part of the company’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers and will involve the replacement of the bridge’s deck, which has come to the end of its natural life.

The complete replacement of the deck will ensure the safety of the bridge’s users and prevent a weight limit being imposed in the future, meaning all motorists can continue to use this route.

The work is extensive and will involve the removal of the carriageway and existing bridge deck; the diversion of utility services; upgrades to the bridge’s structure; the installation of the new deck; and the reconstruction of the carriageway.

To carry out these upgrades, the bridge will be temporarily closed from Monday, 27 June 2016 to Friday, 14 October 2016. During this time, a sign-posted diversion route, agreed with Cornwall Council, will be in place.

To minimise disruption for residents as much as possible, Network Rail is working with First Kernow Buses, who will be providing additional services to maintain the current timetable. The company is also working closely with the local MP, Sarah Newton, who will be joining other stakeholders on a visit to the site to explore whether any further steps can be taken to limit disruption for the local community while the improvement work takes place.

George Bartlett, Network Rail’s project manager for the scheme, said: “I would like to thank residents in advance for their patience and understanding as we carry out this extensive upgrade.

“The work is essential to ensure the future of the bridge, which provides a vital route in and out of Truro, and we will be working hard to complete the improvements in as short a timeframe as possible.”

ENDS

Notes to editors