Latest Boundary Road closure dates confirmed

Vital road will close next month until the end of August

A VITAL through road in Newbury will close from mid-July until the end of August, both West Berkshire Council and Network Rail confirmed this week.

The closure of Boundary Road will be in place to allow Network Rail to divert utility services, ahead of replacing the railway bridge.

The second phase of the project, to replace the bridge ahead of electrification, will involve another lengthy closure at a later date, yet to be confirmed.

There has been a huge amount of confusion after signs were put up warning motorists that the road would be closed from June 1 to October 31.

However, last Monday, the bridge remained open and the signs were subsequently taken away.

As of yesterday (Wednesday) the roadworks section of West Berkshire Council’s website still said that two-way traffic lights were in place along Boundary Road, although the road is currently open as normal, with no traffic lights in operation.

Last week, local businesses told the of being kept in the dark over the closure dates.

Robin Carter, who works at Hambridge Road-based company Newbury Tools, said: “We have not been told anything. We expected the road to be closed on June 1 as signs were up, but on Monday no workmen were there, no traffic lights were there and the sign had been turned around.

“The communication has not been good.”

The council this week confirmed that the road will stay open until mid-July.

Network Rail also confirmed it will start work in mid-July, but has not yet finalised the date.

District councillor for the Victoria ward, Dennis Benneyworth, said: “I have spoken to the project team, who tell me there has been a delay on Network Rail’s part in terms of the work for diverting utilities ahead of the main work.

“It looks like it will now be closed from mid-July and I understand Network Rail will be letter-dropping to local residents and businesses, informing them of the schedule of works.”