NEWS RELEASE

21 May 04

Works to Chewton Mill West Bridge, Keynsham

Bath & North East Somerset will be refurbishing Chewton Mill West Bridge at Chewton Place, Keynsham.  Work will start in early June and will last about 10 weeks.

The existing bridge carries Chewton Road over the River Chew at Chewton Place, Keynsham.

The work to the historic three-span masonry arch bridge is necessary as the overall condition of the bridge is poor and floodwater has caused damage. The works will ensure that the bridge can safely carry existing traffic loads, including emergency vehicles, for many years to come.

The bridge will be strengthened and repaired and the existing dilapidated railing will be replaced with a new parapet designed to provide a balance between engineering and environmental concerns and provide better containment for traffic using the road.

The scheme is part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s commitment in the Local Transport Plan which aims to bring all bridges up to safe and modern standards appropriate to their purpose.

Chewton Road is an important access route to Keynsham for the communities of Chewton Keynsham and Compton Dando. As part of the design process local residents and businesses and 40 other organisations were contacted last April (2003) and the programme adjusted to take comments into account.  For example, the work was originally due to start last autumn. However, Chewton Place Conference Centre needed to carry out urgent stabilisation works for their listed folly structure that is next to the river so the Council delayed the work to Chewton Mill West Bridge to avoid additional disruption to the river channel, local businesses and residents during construction

Traffic Information

During the 10 weeks construction period, the main roads B3116 Wellsway and Charlton Road will not be directly affected.

A short section of Chewton Road at the bridge location will be temporarily closed. Traffic will diverted via Redlynch Lane, Charlton Road, Keynsham High Street, Bath Hill and Wellsway (B3116). Advance warning signs on these roads will be set up and maintained throughout the construction period.

At the Redlynch Lane / Charlton Road junction, traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic signals during the construction period.

Pedestrian access along Chewton Road will be maintained during works.

Editors Note

Electronic photographs of the bridge, a design sketch showing the new bridge elevations and a map of the diversion route are available, contact pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 477827.

For more information please contact:

David Anderson, Bath & North East Somerset Transportation Partnership Manager. Tel: (01225) 395239

For comment please contact:

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, Executive Member for Transport and Highways. Tel (01225) 314834 Mob 07980 998589.

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