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Friday 7 Jul 2006

WORK SET TO START ON 150 YEAR OLD RAIL BRIDGE

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Rail passengers, road users, local people and businesses are to benefit from a £1.4 million scheme to strengthen Merrils bridge in Crewe, which begins this month.  The 150 year old bridge carries the A532 over the railway line to Chester and north Wales. Network Rail will carry out the work, which is being funded by Cheshire County Council as part of a national scheme to assess bridges across the country to ensure they meet the latest standards for  44 tonne lorries. Andrew Skidmore, Area General Manager (Liverpool) said: “This work will have long-term benefits for local people because the life of the strengthened bridge will be extended by up to 120 years and the structure as a whole should only require a minimal amount of maintenance for the next 25 years. “Once completed the scheme will also provide heavy lorries with an alternative route through Crewe, causing less congestion on the roads.” The A532 will be closed from 17 July until early February 2007, although there will continue to be access for pedestrians and cyclists. A diversionary route has been put in place by Cheshire County Council, which will take motorists along the A532, onto the A534 and then on to the A530 before they rejoin the A532. Disruption to rail passengers is being kept to a minimum and the work will only require four weekend closures of the railway while demolition and reconstruction takes place. These closures will take place from 19th September until 8th October inclusive. Network Rail has already written to local businesses and residents within the vicinity of the bridge to advise them of the work but anyone who requires further information should call its 24 hour national helpline on 08457 11 41 41.