Road closures planned for bridge lift

The A442 Eastern Primary will be closed in both directions between Hollinswood Interchange and Wombridge, between 5am on Wednesday, September 12, and 5am on Tuesday, September 18.

Telford & Wrekin Council is urging businesses to alter their work hours, allow employees to work from home, and is encouraging people to car share or bike to work to reduce traffic delays.

Rampart Way will also be closed overnight on Saturday, September 15, while the main span of the bridge, which crosses both the A442 and Rampart Way is lifted into place.

The lift is scheduled to take place between midnight on Saturday, 15 September, and 5am on Sunday, 16 September.

But the council say the lift is highly sensitive to weather conditions due to the size of the bridge.

Plans for a potential postponed lift have been made for September 17, 18, 19 and also the weekend of September 22.

The lift will see one of Europe's largest cranes make its second appearance to the town after one was used to lift the rail section of the bridge earlier this year.

The 230ft LG1750 crane will be assembled on the northbound carriageway of the A442 over a three day period, delivered into the borough by 16 wagons.

After being constructed on site during the last three months, the main span of the £10m bridge is 90 metres long and weighs 230 tonnes.

Keen engineers and interested residents are advised not to attend the site and instead watch the lift via a live stream on the council's website, as viewing space is extremely limited.

Full details of traffic diversions that will be put in place while the A442 Eastern Primary is closed will also be on the council's website.

Once the link between Telford Central railway station and the town centre is complete, the council say it will remain closed until later on in the year.

All rail travel is set to continue uninterrupted while the lift takes place.

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for finance, commercial services and economic development, said: "It has been very exciting watching the new bridge take shape and the lift of the main span promises to be quite a spectacle.

"We appreciate that road closures will be inconvenient but we're doing all we can to make this process as smooth and efficient as possible.

"We're asking businesses to support the community when the diversions come into effect by staggering start times for employees working in and around the town centre or allowing people to work from home where possible.

"Residents can also help by car sharing or cycling into work.

"Small changes can make a difference to congestion at peak times.

"I'd like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while this work is being carried out."