Highbridge’s Walrow railway bridge is set to fully re-open for the first time in 18 months over the next three weeks as work to strengthen the bridge is completed.
It follows a long-running saga that saw the bridge completely closed in March 2007, then partially re-opened to light traffic last autumn after pressure on the County Council and Network Rail from traders and residents.
This week, Network Rail removed scaffolding from the bridge (pictured) and it is due to finish its strenghtening work – which began on March 15th – within three weeks.
Mavis Chong, Network Rail spokeswoman, confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The work is all running to schedule and we’re due to complete the strenghtening work on time in the next two to three weeks.”
Businesses in Highbridge will breathe a big sigh of relief when the re-opening goes ahead. They say trade has been hurt by the long-term closure.
Local residents in Walrow, meanwhile, are unhappy that more restrictive vehicle weight limitations are not being introduced to prevent noisy heavy goods vehicles thundering past their homes, as first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com earlier this month.
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