First Winchester Rail Bridge completed on time

Network Rail has successfully rebuilt the first of three bridges in the Winchester area as part of a £71m project designed to remove up to 50,000 lorries a year from the region’s roads and provide a cheaper, quicker and more practical way of transporting goods around the country.

During the last three months, a new wider bridge deck has been built at St Cross (B3335) on top of the existing structure which will accommodate space for a shared footpath and cycle track has been installed making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.  The final part of the construction work took place over the Easter weekend when the old structure was demolished.  Major construction work to rebuild bridges will begin at Stoke Charity on 6 April and Andover Road on 12 April.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “Now the first phase of the project at St Cross has been delivered on time and the road has reopened, we can start the major work to rebuild the bridges on Andover Road and at Stoke Charity.

“It is important for the environment and the regional economy that larger freight containers can be transported efficiently by rail from Southampton.  This cannot be achieved without rebuilding a number of bridges, which we are doing as quickly as we can.  We will continue to take all reasonable steps to keep disruption to a minimum.”

The work planned at the remaining sites includes:

ANDOVER ROAD:

Andover Road bridge is scheduled to be closed from 12 April until 12 July 2010.

The new structure will be wider, offering a better footpath and space for a cycle track improving safety.

A temporary footbridge has been installed so residents can continue to cross the railway while the work is carried out.

A major water main and other utilities run through Andover Road bridge.  These needed to be re-directed by the utility companies prior to work starting on the bridge itself.

STOKE CHARITY:

Stoke Charity Road bridge will be closed from 6 April 2010 until 30 July 2010.

The new structure has been designed to incorporate a new footpath, making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the railway.

A temporary footbridge has been installed so residents can continue to cross the railway while the work is carried out.

Stoke Charity Road bridge will be closed from 6 April 2010 until 30 July 2010.

The new structure has been designed to incorporate a new footpath, making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the railway.

A temporary footbridge has been installed so residents can continue to cross the railway while the work is carried out.