Report 7 on progress leading towards the re-opening of the bridge
Next steps
for the construction of the new bridge
The key to the proposal for an accelerated
programme is the removal of time for contingencies outside the control of
Network Rail and Herefordshire Council and a minimisation of design and
construction processes.
The outline features of the proposed new bridge deck and approaches have been determined from the above need for an accelerated programme. The bridge deck (and hence the overall highway width) will be the same overall dimensions as the existing bridge. The basic layout plan is sketched out below and shows the provision of a 4.5m carriageway, 1.7m footway and a 3.0 m combined footway and cycleway over the bridge.
Traffic will be single way working controlled by
traffic signals. The improvement work will essentially be contained within the
limits of the existing bridge and highway. This configuration improves the
safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles crossing the bridge. The bridge
will carry all normal highway traffic.
The design of the finished works will respect, as
far as possible, the desire of Colwall residents to minimise visual impact of
the new bridge deck. There will be a temporary footbridge during construction.
Under planning law the works are defined as “Permitted
Development” because the existing bridge was authorised by an act of parliament.
Network Rail will make a submission to the Herefordshire Council Planning
Department under this legislation. Prior to this submission Colwall Parish
Council and Malvern Hills Conservators will receive a copy of the plans.
Concerns
over access by emergency service vehicles.
Herefordshire Council is aware that residents have
expressed concerns over emergency access to Colwall. The police, fire service
and ambulance service have all confirmed that they have no concerns over their
ability to reach Colwall in an emergency.
Temporary route for light traffic
The Council is aware
of residents’ concerns for the tightness of the current route over the bridge.
The
alignment of the route was checked by an engineer from the design team on
10 and 18 December. Since then the alignment has been inspected again and the
position relative to the beams checked. On all occasions the route (including
the barriers) has been found to be correctly aligned.
The original
preliminary design has been adjusted and takes account of the actual size of
the barriers. However the angles to the corners cannot be made less acute or
the barriers moved apart because of the need to prevent additional loading of
the weaker beams below the carriageway.
It
is noted that some members of the public have "worked" on the highway
while investigating the route alignment. Please note that such activity is
extremely dangerous, and Herefordshire Council on the grounds of safety
strongly advise against it.
On
March 17, council officers were made aware that one of the barriers had been
moved. The barriers are there out of necessity rather than choice and hence the
barrier has now been reinstated back to its original position. Because of the condition
of the bridge there is only one narrow safe route across it. That’s why it’s
essential the barriers are not moved and that traffic over the bridge keeps to
this safe route
Phase
1 of the amendments to the route (see progress report 6) are now planned for
installation and includes the following: Installation of “cats eyes” to the edge of the carriageway,
removal of overhanging branches, road markings and hatching, additional
signing, improvements to the pedestrian route, changes to the fencing,
installation of chevron markings.
The
generator powering the traffic signals is positioned just on the edge of the
bridge and hence does not become a problem for the weaker beams.
If the traffic
signals fail please phone your report to 01432 261800.
Progress reports - If you wish to receive forthcoming progress reports
direct by e-mail please contact the council through the routes given below. The
next progress report will be issued in May.
For further
information please contact Herefordshire Council, Highways and Transportation,
Unit 3 Thorn Business Park, Rotherwas, Hereford, HR2 6JT, Telephone 01432
261800, email streets@herefordshire.gov.uk,
website www.herefordshire.gov.uk
This sheet can also
be obtained from the Colwall Parish Council website www.colwall.net and
from the Herefordshire Info shop Ledbury.