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| Redbridge Towers The Gateway to Southampton |
Tory-run Hampshire County Council have decided to do the works below, which will cause a lot of disruption over many months.
They have not consulted Southampton Independents, or our Councillor for Redbridge Andrew Pope.
Hampshire County Council claim this is "advanced notice", but the works will soon be upon us.
What do you think?
Councillor Pope is asking questions about what the Labour-run Southampton City Council knew, and what they agreed on YOUR behalf.
What other questions do you want answered?
Contact us at the details on the left of the website.
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A35 Redbridge Viaduct Essential Works
I am writing to inform you of forthcoming essential bridge repairs and carriageway resurfacing on Redbridge Viaduct and the A35, between the M271 and Rushington Roundabout. Phase 1 of the project is to replace all the bridge joints on Redbridge Viaduct and resurface the carriageway up to Rushington Roundabout.
Background to the Scheme
The A35 Redbridge causeway is a strategic transport link which connects western Hampshire, New Forest National Park and the significant industrial areas of Fawley oil refinery and Marchwood military port to Southampton, its docks and the associated motorway / strategic network. It is the only major non-motorway crossing of the River Test. It also carries significant tourist and holiday traffic for the New Forest National Park and links Southampton to the residential areas on the Waterside.
The eastbound A35 is carried over three bridges, and the westbound is carried over the 20 span Redbridge Viaduct. Regular Inspections and structural investigations have identified deteriorating problems on all four causeway bridges. The problems are caused by the marine location and leaking bridge expansion joints making them vulnerable to the effects of de-icing salts and sea water. Significant repairs are needed to all four Redbridge Causeway bridges in order to maintain this vital strategic transport link. If no action is taken and the deterioration of the bridges continues then progressively more restrictive weight limits will need to be imposed on the route in order to ensure the safety of the travelling public. This would have a detrimental impact on the large number of vehicles that use the route including the bus services and commercial traffic. The total cost of repairs and strengthening of all these four Causeway bridges and the associated road surfacing works are estimated to be approximately £20 million. Hampshire County Council (HCC) has committed £2 million for the immediate works, and are disappointed that previous DfT bids have been unsuccessful. HCC continue to explore funding opportunities for the remainder of the works.
Inspections and structural investigations have identified Redbridge Viaduct as the bridge which is in need of early attention. Prior to carrying out repairs needed to the reinforced concrete supports, leaks through the bridge expansion joints need to be stopped. Replacement of these joints is Phase 1.
In order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and our operatives on site, as well as the quality of the work, the westbound carriageway will need to be closed at weekends. The closure dates and times for Phase 1 are listed below.
A35 WESTBOUND closed:
· From 8pm on Saturday 4 November 2017 until 5am on Monday 6 November 2017
· From 8pm on Saturday 11 November 2017 until 5am on Monday 13 November 2017
· From 8pm on Saturday 3 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 5 February 2018
· From 8pm on Saturday 10 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 12 February 2018
· From 8pm on Saturday 17 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 19 February 2018
· From 8pm on Saturday 24 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 26 February 2018
· From 8pm on Saturday 3 March 2018 until 5am on Monday 5 March 2018
The nature of the works makes them highly weather dependant and a decision whether to go ahead with the works will be made on the Wednesday preceding each of the dates. If poor weather is forecast then no work will be possible and we will not close the road unnecessarily; this news will be published on the electronic signs near the site, as well as Hampshire County Council’s webpage and social media channels.
For vehicular traffic, a signed diversion route will be provided during the closure periods, and access for pedestrians/cyclists will be maintained.
Bus companies have been informed, and the affected services will be rerouted via the motorway diversion route.
A35 Eastbound
Phase 2, in 2018, will be the resurfacing of the Eastbound carriageway and will not involve any daytime full road closures. Further information will be released when available.
For the local businesses, we intend to drop letters informing about the work in advance.
Further information about the project will go live on Monday and can be found at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/a35essentialworks .