A Bournemouth bridge that connects Tuckton with Christchurch will be closing for four days during the Easter holidays after being restricted to one lane for five weeks.
The closure and lane restriction is to allow for a complete road resurfacing.
Work will begin on the 100-year-old bridge on March 5th and will include repairs to the concrete structure as well as improvements to the kerb and drainage on the bridge deck.
The four days of closure has been scheduled to take place in the Easter holidays in order to minimise disruptions to traffic, and there will still be pedestrian and cyclist access across the bridge during this time.
However, Paul Hunt, a concerned resident of Southbourne, expressed his worries to the Bournemouth Echo. He said: “How is the area going to cope with this disruption? A considerable number of Twynham School pupils use the bridge from Tuckton every day. If there is no vehicle or pedestrian access, it’s a long way round via Iford Lane.”
Michael Filer, cabinet member for transport and technical service at Bournemouth council, said: “These are essential maintenance works to a heavily used structure which is over 100 years old. I would like to reassure the travelling public that we have done all we can to programme these works in such a manner as to minimise disruption to traffic.”
Despite Bournemouth council being the authority in charge of the works, half of the cost will be shared with Dorset County Council.
Main photo: © Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
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