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Monday 27 Sep 2004

WROXHAM TURNPIKE BRIDGE TO BENEFIT FROM £500,000 ENHANCEMENTS

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

| Southern

Over a period of 10 weeks, starting Monday 4 October 2004, Network Rail will be investing half a million pounds into major structural work on Wroxham Turnpike railway bridge, on the A1151 in Wroxham, Norfolk.  Partial and complete road closures will be necessary for the duration of the work, which has been planned in close partnership with Norfolk County Council.  Wroxham Turnpike bridge is over 100 years old and in need of structural enhancements to ensure it complies with new European standards.  Over the 10 week period of work, specialist bridge contractors will be using a 200-tonne crane to remove several of the existing beams on the bridge deck and parapet, replacing them with new, stronger beams.      Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director, said: “Network Rail is committed to investing in its railway infrastructure to ensure that our property, in this case a railway bridge, is kept in a safe and reliable condition.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the road closures, which will ultimately benefit both road and rail users in Norfolk.  “Network Rail has been working closely with Norfolk County Council to ensure any disruption caused by this activity is kept to an absolute minimum.  We would like to thank road users in advance for their patience while this essential work is carried out.” - more - Bridge work - 2 In order to minimise disruption for road users on the A1151, Wroxham Turnpike bridge will remain open for the majority of the work, using a manually operated single lane traffic system.  Where the type of work dictates that both traffic lanes should be closed for safety reasons, this will be limited to a number of fixed time periods, outlined below.  This schedule of work has been designed to have the least impact on road users, with total bridge closures taking place only at ‘quiet’ traffic times. Wroxham Turnpike bridge will be closed to vehicles at the following times: ·            21.00 Sunday 3 October               –        06.00 Monday 4 October ·            21.00 Saturday 16 October          –        13.00 Sunday 17 October ·            21.00 Saturday 23 October          –        13.00 Sunday 24 October ·            21.00 Saturday 30 October          –        13.00 Sunday 31 October ·            21.00 Tuesday 2 November         –        06.00 Wednesday 3 November ·            21.00 Saturday 6 November         –        13.00 Sunday 7 November ·            21.00 Saturday 13 November       –        13.00 Sunday 14 November ·            21.00 Saturday 20 November       –        13.00 Sunday 21 November ·            21.00 Friday 10 December           –        06.00 Saturday 11 December Throughout the 10 week period of work, from 4 October to 10 December, it will be necessary to implement a 20mph speed restriction over the bridge to protect the safety of bridge workers.  Access for pedestrians will be maintained, but vehicles over two metres wide will need to be diverted along a signed diversion route.  During the specified bridge closure periods, all vehicles will be diverted and routes will be clearly signposted.