A ROAD between Overton and Kingsclere is set to close for four months next year as a major improvement project swings into action.

Network Rail has written to residents about the Southampton to Nuneaton freight project, diversionary route, which will include improvement works carried out at Foxdown overbridge on the B3501.

The letter, seen by The Gazette, which was sent by Rupal Patel, community relations manager, said: “In order to achieve this upgrade, it will be necessary for Network Rail to improve and enhance the current rail infrastructure.”

A drop-in session has been organised for November 21, from 2pm until 7.30pm, in St Mary’s Hall, High Street, Overton, where representatives from Network Rail and their contractor, Carillion, will be available to discuss the plans.

However, Overton Parish Councillor Brian Langer has criticised Network Rail for failing to inform the council about its plans.

He said: “OPC had no idea this was being proposed when the November parish newsletter was compiled – now distributed.”

He claims Network Rail stated at a meeting in 2011 that the bridge would not have to close to traffic in order for the work to be done, and added: “There will be a lot of inconvenience and, in the Overton context, to those accessing the station from the north, to schoolchildren living north of the railway accessing both Overton Primary School and Testbourne School, in Whitchurch, to those north of the railway line who use Overton for work or shopping and to those in Overton who work at Aldermaston and the Newbury area.”

The work to demolish and reconstruct a new bridge is planned to begin in early January. Approach roadworks are expected to continue until early May, making it necessary to close the road at the bridge site from early February until early May. Cllr Langer said the work will update the bridges to accommodate the larger containers coming from Southampton Docks.