New weight restrictions on some heavy goods vehicles using Wootton Bridge are due to be put in place on Friday morning, with a 20mph speed restriction for all vehicles already having come into force today (Tuesday).
The new measures follow news that weight and speed restrictions are required on the road across the bridge until strengthening measures are undertaken – anticipated to be several weeks, if not months away. Approvals given by the key authorities mean these restrictions are expected to be in place by Friday morning (24 July).
Wootton Bridge is subject to inspections every six years as well as biennial assessments to determine its condition. These can also trigger additional assessments, if notable changes in condition are identified. It is these assessments that have given rise for concern and identified the need to put in place measures to limit the speed and weight of traffic travelling across the bridge.
Island Roads has been working closely with the Technical Approval Authority to look at ways in which it can keep the bridge open to the majority of traffic by introducing some short term, interim measures to mitigate against a reduction in the load capacity of the bridge. Approval for this work has now been secured and work will start on the bridge this week to put these short-term measures in place.
A 20mph restriction is now in force for all traffic travelling between Firestone Copse Road at Kite Hill, to New Road in Wootton. Permanent road signs have been put in place and the 30mph speed reminder has been changed to reflect the new limit.
A full road closure will come into force on Thursday (23rd July) between 18:30 and early on Friday to allow interim repair solutions to be undertaken. The closure will allow both surfacing work to be carried out – which will help with the load bearing capacity of the bridge – and the installation of weight limit signage. When the road reopens, an 18 tonne weight limit will be in force.
Throughout the overnight closure all motorists will be diverted, with lighter traffic able to use Havenstreet and The Downs as alternative routes to and from Newport.
Any vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes or above, which includes some of the heavier fire engines, multi axle heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and multi-axle coaches will need to follow the diversion route through Binstead, Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Arreton both during the closure and for the foreseeable future.
Island Roads has liaised with a number of organisations potentially affected by the restrictions to keep them informed of the situation. Both the fire service and waste lorries have in place alternative plans for the heavier of their vehicles during this time that will ensure services can still be delivered effectively to local residents, and ferry companies are being provided with copies of the diversion routes to alert drivers.
Island Roads will continue to monitor the situation as well as carrying on with work on a design for a long-term solution to strengthen the bridge. The cost of this permanent solution will be met by Island Roads under the PFI contract and will not fall to the Isle of Wight Council.
Kevin Burton, Island Roads Network Manager, said:
“We have sought to create a short-term solution that still maintains the use of the bridge for the vast majority of drivers however we recognise that these restrictions will be disruptive for some drivers and potentially for those communities on the diversion routes and will continue to do all that we can to keep people informed. However, it is a necessary step that we are obliged to take to ensure the safety of road users and to prevent the bridge from deteriorating further.
“Naturally, we are also working on a longer term solution and, while strengthening old masonry arches can be challenging in engineering terms, we are very confident such a scheme can be implemented. However Wootton Bridge itself lies close to an area of environmental sensitivity so we will have to obtain permissions and consents from other agencies before any scheme is undertaken – a process that may take some time. However, we will work with our engineers and all of the relevant agencies to ensure a longer term solution can be implemented as soon as practicable.”
Councillor Phil Jordan executive member for the Highways PFI said:
“It is unfortunate that this has come as we enter the summer holiday period, however, safety of users of the bridge is paramount, especially with a potential increase in traffic levels over the summer.
“I would like to appeal to those vehicles required to follow the diversion route not to attempt to drive over the Downs Road and to please follow the diversion in place.”
