Bridge repairs will close main road into town for 12 weeks (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Bridge repairs will close main road into town for 12 weeks
7:00am Monday 10th September 2012 in Romsey
A main road into Romsey will be shut for around 12 weeks while a bridge undergoes repairs.
Work is due to start on Timsbury Bridge, which is more than 100 years old and carries the A3057 Stockbridge Road over the River Test, on Monday (Setpember 10) Hampshire County Council says the £240,000 project will restore the “structural integrity” and improve the appearance of the bridge.
The A3057 will be closed between the junction with the B3084 Old Salisbury Lane to the south and Yokesford Hill to the north throughout, though a diversion will be put in place.
A safe route over the bridge for pedestrians and access to all nearby homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.
The diversion route will take drivers from the northern end of the closure east on Yokesford Hill Road, onto Belbins, then, at the junction, right on to Cupernham Lane up to a junction, then right onto Fishlake Meadows up to its junction with Greatbridge Road, then right on to Greatbridge Road going north to its junction with Old Salisbury Lane.
Mel Kendal, HCC executive member for environment and transport, said the diversion route was only about a mile longer than the direct route and, though recognising the inconvenience, said he hoped it would not cause significant disruption.
“We appreciate the impact this work may have on the Romsey area, but we will be doing all we can to reduce the effect on local businesses, which will remain open during the works.
“We will use signing and local publicity to ensure that diverted traffic is also aware of the access arrangements and that all businesses remain open.”
Work will be carried out by Raymond Brown Ltd, on behalf of HCC.
The council said extensive mitigation measures have been agreed with the Environment Agency to comply with ecological and environmental constraints when working in and close to the river.
