A34 College Farm Road Bridge (Beedon) Refurbishment Works
The Highways Agency will be carrying out essential works to refurbish the College Farm bridge which carries the A34 over the local road at Beedon. Work will be undertaken in various phases.
Initially narrow lanes and a 50 mph temporary speed limit will be installed to enable work to take place to the central reservation. This work involves re-waterproofing and reconstruction of the central reserve and will be undertaken overnight.
Full weekend closures of the north and southbound carriageways will then take place to enable the removal of the old surfacing, waterproofing material and verges, then application of the new waterproofing (which must be allowed to cure), the reinstatement of the new verge and the resurfacing of the bridge. Once works have commenced, traffic will not be permitted to drive over the bridge through the works area.
For the safety of the workforce and our customers, and to keep overall disruption to a minimum, the following proposed traffic management restrictions will be in place on the A34 in West Berkshire:
- Monday 28 October (10pm to 6am) – Full overnight closure of the A34 northbound carriageway from M4 Junction 13
- Tuesday 29 October (10pm to 6am) – Full overnight closure of the A34 southbound carriageway between the A4130 Milton Interchange and M4 Junction 13
- Tuesday 29 October to Thursday 14 November – 24 hour narrow lane running and a temporary 50mph speed restriction, and nightly lane closures
- Friday 15 November (10pm) to Monday 18 November (6am) – Full weekend closure of the A34 southbound carriageway from the A4130 Milton Interchange to M4 Junction 13
- Friday 22 November (10pm) to Monday 25 November (6am) – Full weekend closure of the A34 northbound carriageway from M4 Junction 13
The works are highly weather dependent and if work is unable to proceed on these dates due to poor weather, the closures will be rescheduled for January/February 2014 so as not to clash with local authority Christmas embargos. Should the need arise to reschedule these full weekend closures the narrow lanes and temporary speed restriction will be removed once the works to the central reserve is complete.
These full weekend closures are required to ensure the safety of both the workforce and the travelling public, due to the nature of the activities to be undertaken. An alternative traffic management option was considered but this would have considerably increased both the duration of the construction period and the traffic congestion.
Significant delays will be expected during the weekend closure periods, and it is advised that you plan ahead of your journey to allow for extra time or avoid this route where possible.
Details of diversion routes are included in the Highways Agency’s College Farm Bridge Refurbishment Letter. The distances mentioned are inaccurate – they should read:
Diversion Routes
1. Motorway Permitted Vehicles – For both the north and southbound closures the main strategic diversion route for motorway permitted vehicles will be via the M40, A404/A404(M) and M4 – the distance is 68 miles and the expected delay time will be a minimum of 60 minutes, dependent on traffic flows. This diversion route is in place due to its suitability for all types/sizes of vehicles and where other major roadworks aren’t in place. This route has been agreed by the local authorities, police authorities and other Highways Agency areas. Unfortunately the stretch of the A34 that is closed doesn’t have another primary road running nearby which can be used as a diversion.
2. Motorway Restricted Vehicles – During the closures, a signed route will be in place between Speen (near Newbury) and Milton (A4130), via Hungerford and Wantage. Access to local villages can be made from the A338 and manned gates located at the M4 Junction 13 roundabout and A4130 Milton Interchange roundabout.