Clun Road bridge completion date finalised

Shropshire County Council has met with Network Rail and its contractors Dean and Dyball to discuss the progress of repairs to Clun Road bridge in Craven Arms.

Following this meeting, which took place on 2 June, it has been agreed that the completion date for the necessary works on the bridge will be 26 August 2008.

The road under the bridge was narrowed and a priority system was put in place for traffic in October 2007 to allow Network Rail to stabilise the bridge.

Unfortunately work had to be halted in January 2008 until a permanent solution to stabilise the bridge could be designed and undertaken. These works have now been finalised which will involve using hydraulic jacks to temporarily lift the bridge and allow repairs to the abutment and replacement of the bearings.

Shropshire County Council has agreed that Network Rail will start this essential work once Craven Arms level crossing has been replaced on the 23 June 2008. Both of these have been co-ordinated so that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “We are sorry that these important works have taken longer than initially expected and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience. We have worked closely with Network Rail and Dean and Dyball to encourage them to complete this work as soon as possible.”

12 June 2008