M5 bridge repairs could cause huge disruption
NORTHWAY is facing more than seven months of road disruption as part of a £2.7 million improvement scheme.
Two of the three main entrances to the Tewkesbury estate will be shut for a total of 30 weeks from July 5 as essential maintenance is carried out on bridges that cross the M5.
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Northway Lane bridge over the M5
The Highways Agency, which will carry out the work at Northway Lane and Hardwick Bank Road, says only one bridge will be closed at a time and it plans to shut the Northway Lane one to traffic first.
It says the bridges will be closed to vehicles during the work, but they will stay open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Spokesman Nathan Wallis said: "Work will begin in July to strengthen the deck of the Northway Lane and Hardwick Bank Road bridges as part of an ongoing maintenance programme.
"This work will also improve the road surface and drainage on the bridges.
"During the work, the bridges will need to be closed. However, a fully signposted diversion route will be in place."
The scheme will represent the second phase in the strengthening of the bridges, following work carried out on their columns in March last year. The third main road in and out of the estate, the A46, will remain open.
Northway Parish Council clerk, Christine Woodward, said the work would lead to other roads on the estate becoming busier.
She said: "We've known this was going to happen. It's going to be a nuisance, but it's got to be done."
Mr Wallis said the work may require off-peak lane closures on the motorway underneath.
He said that, once finished, the work could lead to the 7.5-tonne weight restriction on the bridges being lifted – although that would have to be ratified by the county council.
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by bus traveller, Tewks.
Friday, March 12 2010, 12:20PM
“What about bus users? Any chance of the obviously to be changed timetables and altered routes being posted through our letter boxes in the very near future? Some of us height restricted people have no chance of comfortably reading the timetables posted on the lamp-posts, they're always put far too high. Will it make a difference to the fares charged, if the altered routes take just minutes longer, I can see the bus companies taking advantage of the situation and raising their fares!!! Seven months or so can be a long time in bus company eyes, raise the fares, hope users forget it's to do with the road-works and keep them raised afterwards. Nice one, eh??? Not that I'm pessimistic you understand.”
by lewis hamilton, with her from sugarbabes
Thursday, March 11 2010, 3:33PM
“the traffic calming on the bridge is cool its like having your own grand prix circuit”
by sick of it !, Northway
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:59PM
“Does this mean that people will stop forcing their way through the traffic calming when they should be giving way, I hope so !!!!”
by traffic flow, tewkesbury
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 7:55PM
“I hope when its done they will take away the stupid give way traffic calming. They cause serious traffic jams at peak times. If they want to slow the trafic down put in some decent road humps and a mini round about at the junction with hardwick bank road and keep the traffic flowing”
by Matt H, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:05PM
“This will be fun... But, it's for essential maintenance works, so it's got to be done. They'll still be plenty of moaning, though.....
I used to work on the Tewkesbury Business Park in Severn Drive, and the traffic (particularly getting out of the are at the end of the working day) was often a total nightmare, and that was 5 years ago, with all roads open, and a lot less workers than in the area these days. Glad I'm not working there now...!!!
TiG - any news on what roadworks are planned for the A40 / Hatherley Lane roundabout in Cheltenham - signs advising of works commencing later this month have appeared this week. Do you have any more details...???”