Whitchurch Bridge Update

[boatone]

Just received the following from the EA:

Reconstruction of Whitchurch Bridge
We granted a full five month winter river closure to facilitate the reconstruction of Whitchurch Bridge. A full river closure was given because Whitchurch Bridge only has one navigation arch, which will be obstructed throughout the works. On returning from the Christmas break the works have been halted due to the adverse weather which has led to exceptionally high water levels, flooding and fast river flows. Our strong stream ‘red warning boards’ have been on display at all our 45 locks along the Thames since the 24 December 2013. The reconstruction programme has therefore been significantly delayed by this winter’s extreme conditions.

From 1 April onwards the navigation channel will be open to river traffic. However, the re-opening of the bridge to road traffic will be significantly delayed. The local communities, particularly the villages of Pangbourne and Whitchurch are being heavily impacted by the road closure. Following meetings with the contractors, Balfour Beatty and the project manager, Oxfordshire County Council as well as a meeting with the local MPs Alok Sharma and John Howell, we have agreed an extended work programme to allow the works to continue to progress after the 1 April in order that the road can be re-opened as soon as possible.

In order to allow the works to continue the following restrictions to navigation are required:
· The width of navigation will be restricted to varying degrees throughout the ongoing works. The minimum navigation width will be 7.0 metres. When this is in operation, one way river traffic will be managed by the contractors during lock keeper hours of duty. To permit safe navigation a buoyed channel will be in place and this will be lit between sunset and sunrise.
· 10 overnight and two, two full day navigation closures are required over the 22 week programme in order to permit works that cannot be carried out whilst the navigation is open. We have minimised the impact of these temporary closures by scheduling them at times when boat traffic is likely to be lightest. The dates of the overnight closures are not yet known as the contractors cannot recommence their work until the river conditions have improved. We will publish the dates of the closures as soon as they are known via Harbourmaster’s Notices. The two, two full day closures are currently scheduled for the evening of Monday 12 May to the evening of Wednesday 14 May and the evening of Monday 19 May to the evening of Wednesday 21 May, however if it is possible for the contractors to recommence the work before the 1 April these dates will be brought forward, earlier into the boating season, so as to cause the least impact as possible. There will not be any closures on weekends or bank holidays.

I’m sure you appreciate the need for the bridge to re-open as soon as possible, to prevent any avoidable continuation of the disruption to bridge users, and to the impact on trade that local businesses are experiencing. We have done all we can to minimise disruption to boaters, but it is not possible for all the remaining work needed on the bridge to be carried out safely without the temporary closures we have agreed with the contractor.
Thank you for your understanding.

 

[Chris_d]

Thats sounds pretty good really, given the impact it must be having on the locals I'm surprised that boaters have been given such generous consideration. Lets hope they finish it ASAP.

 

[byron]

Thats sounds pretty good really, given the impact it must be having on the locals I'm surprised that boaters have been given such generous consideration. Lets hope they finish it ASAP.

I echo what Chris has said. It's a bit of a relief for me too as so many have already booked rallies here. Additionally there must a quite a number coming up for the Child Beale Boat Show in June.

 

[boatone]

Extract from a separately attached statement from the Whitchurch Bridge Company says:

We expect that the improving river conditions will enable us to restart work by the end of March. Subject to this being so, and there being no further delays due to river conditions or other unforeseen events, we expect the Bridge to re-open for road traffic in September 2014. A more precise date will be announced later.

 

[bumperdump]

http://www.towpathtalk.co.uk/news/bridge-works-reduce-thames-width