Media centre

Monday 21 Feb 2005

WHITCHURCH BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has brought forward maintenance plans in order to repair the railway bridge at Whitchurch, damaged last month (18 January) when struck by a lorry. The eight-week programme of work began today (21 February) to replace the existing structure over the B5398 (Waymills). The work, originally planned for August, has been brought forward to ensure the safe running of the railway and to allow temporary speed restrictions, imposed since the bridge strike, to be lifted as soon as possible. Traffic flow under the bridge is being reduced to a single line, controlled by temporary traffic lights. The road will be closed completely to traffic and pedestrians from 25 March to 3 April while the old bridge is removed and a new one reconstructed. There will be 24 hour working from 7 p.m. 25 March to 5 a.m. 29 March. Some of the work will be carried out during nighttime and at weekends to minimise interruption to rail services and protect the safety of construction workers. Network Rail has notified local residents of the planned work. While some noise and disturbance is unavoidable, this will be minimised wherever possible. Residents with concerns should contact Network Rail’s helpline on 08457 114141.