Work on A360 bridge will start (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Strengthening work on former railway bridge near Devizes

3:41pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Devizes

WORK to infill a railway tunnel near Devizes is due to begin next week.

But Wiltshire councillor Jeff Ody said disruption to traffic will be kept to a minimum.

He has been in negotiation with the council’s contractors to minimise the upheaval caused by the work to stabilise the bridge on the A360 Potterne Road, which used to be part of the railway line that ran through the centre of the town.

The redundant railway bridge on the A360 Potterne Road is weak and it will be strengthened by the infilling beneath the bridge.

Initially the contractors wanted to dump the infill material at the foot of Charles Morrison Close with dozens of lorries using the narrow cul de sac on a daily basis.

After negotiations with NHS Wiltshire, they have agreed to access the site from the grounds of Southgate House.

Mr Ody said: “Although the main muckshift will be carried out in the February 11 to 19 half-term school break, the council has agreed with the NHS Southgate management that preliminary loads can go through their car park from February 6."

Coun Dick Tonge, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This work is essential. We have listened to comments from local residents and have put together a route for the lorries which will minimise disruption and ensure the work is carried out quickly.

"We’d like to thank NHS Wiltshire for their cooperation.

"Without their agreement to allow us to access Potterne Road Bridge from the staff car park behind Southgate House, this route would not have been possible.

"This is a welcome example of co-operation between two local organisations.”