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www.stokegiffordjournal.co.uk
t: 01454 300 400
October 2019
News Latest on Gipsy Patch Lane railway bridge works
W
ork around the Gipsy Patch Lane railway bridge has intensified in recent weeks after the main construction period for the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) began in early August. Activity close to the bridge has focused on clearing trees and shrubs to permit access to locations where excavation and pile driving needs to take place in order to create load-bearing foundations for the replacement bridge (see facing page). As planned, three-way temporary traffic lights have been in operation at the bridge during off-peak times only since Monday 2nd September. These have sometimes caused long tailbacks along Gipsy Patch Lane, although it has been observed that the one-way flow under the bridge has meant that queues disperse
quickly during the ‘green’ phases. The temporary lights were supposed to be in place for two weeks before being replaced by the intermittent use of stop/ go boards, however, it was announced in mid-September that the lights would be needed for at least a further week. The extension was said to be needed to “enable additional work to lower a utility cable”. An eight-month full closure of Gipsy Patch Lane remains on the cards for early next year, either side of a 12-day closure of the railway line over Easter during which the existing bridge will be dismantled and its much wider replacement moved into place. The precise dates of the full closure have not been announced, but information on roadworks.org suggests that it will commence on 5th March.
Three-way traffic lights in operation during the third week in September
Gipsy Patch Lane: What happens next? Planned works on Gipsy Patch Lane for autumn 2019 will see the continuation of preparation works for the replacement railway bridge. This work will include further clearance of trees and shrubs around the existing bridge, the dismantling and removal of the pill box, preparation for foundation works at the four corners of the new bridge and piling works. We will be writing to residents and businesses near to the bridge concerning the piling works. Work will also start in the construction site in the Horizon 38 Business Park where the new bridge will be built before being moved into place next year. We are in discussions with the CPME Stakeholder Liaison Group regarding the planting of replacement trees at alternative locations within the Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke areas. Source: South Gloucestershire Council
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