Media centre

Tuesday 29 May 2007

WATERY LANE OPEN FOR BUSINESS DURING ESSENTIAL BRIDGE REPAIR WORK

Region & Route:

Work will soon start on a project to renew the bridge carrying the West Coast Main Line over Watery Lane in Lichfield. The work will ensure that the bridge remains safe for both road and rail users. To allow the project to be completed safely, Watery Lane will be closed to road traffic for approximately three weeks of the six week project as engineers work to strengthen the supports to the south side of the bridge, grit blast the structure and then repaint it. Tony Wilcock, Network Rail's Territory Civil Engineer said: "This project is essential to allow the bridge to remain open to both road and rail traffic and we have worked very hard to minimise the disruption to local residents and businesses by reducing the amount of time Watery Lane needs to be closed to traffic. We'd like to thank residents and traders for their patience whilst we undertake this emergency work." Watery Lane will close to road traffic from 8am on Monday 4 June, through to 6pm on Friday 15 June. The road will re-open for the weekend on 16 and 17 June before closing again from 8am on Monday 18 June through to 6pm on Friday 22 June when the road re-opens. At other times the road under the bridge will be subject to traffic management to ensure the safety of both motorists and the workforce. Businesses at Curborough Hall Farm on Watery Lane will remain open throughout the project and will be having open days on 9 & 10 June, the one weekend when the road will be closed. Kay Hollinshead of Curborough Hall Farm said: "We would like to remind all our visitors that Curborough Antiques and Craft Centre will open throughout the closure of Watery Lane. We are encouraging visitors to follow the diversions to come along and join us on our open days, on 9 & 10 June." For more information contact 01543 262 595 or www.curboroughcrafts.co.uk Network Rail has worked with Staffordshire County Council to ensure diversionary routes are well signposted. The diversionary route of approximately 5 minutes will take drivers via Eastern Avenue A5192, Stafford Road A51, Featherbed Lane, Tewnalls Lane and Lichfield Road A515