A NEW bridge deck is to be installed on Storesbrook Bridge, closing it for 16 weeks.

Work will begin on November 1 to the bridge on the B4214 between Staplow and Ledbury.

The bridge, which crosses the River Leadon, will be closed for approximately 16 weeks while refurbishment work takes place to the structure which was built in 1901.

A new pre-fabricated steel deck section will be built off-site and then lowered into place once the old bridge deck has been demolished.

The work is being carried out by Herefordshire Council, in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places and forms part of Herefordshire Council’s £1.9 programme of works to be delivered through the National Productivity Investment Fund in 2017-18.

The fund is being used to invest in the county’s bridges to ensure they maintain a good structural condition for the safety of drivers.

Councillor Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said: “The bridge is used every weekday by an average of 3,218 vehicles and we appreciate that its closure will cause significant disruption to local traffic and businesses, including parents taking children to Bosbury or John Masefield Schools, for which we apologise in advance.

“The council has decided to replace just the deck of the bridge; this will keep the length of closure significantly shorter than if we had had to replace the entire structure. We have consulted the local member, Cllr. Johnson, local farmers and businesses and have thus delayed work to November. This will ensure that the majority of harvest traffic movements can be completed before diversions are put in place.”

Andy Williams, Balfour Beatty Living Places Regional Director, added: “We are pleased to be working on this scheme to modernise Storesbrook Bridge which serves a critical route into Ledbury. The new structure will service local road users for many decades to come.

“Balfour Beatty offers expert capabilities in managing modular construction processes, and by working with specialist contractors who can build the span off-site, we are able to keep the closure to the shortest time possible.”

Balfour Beatty will complete the work during March 2019.