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Six month closure for Padworth rail bridge





The closure is to allow Network Rail to reconstruct the bridge in preparation for electrification of the Great Western Railway.
There will be two diversion routes in place for traffic, while a temporary footbridge will be installed to maintain pedestrian access while the works are taking place.
A two way diversion will be in place for traffic wanting to cross the bridge.
Traffic will be sent up Padworth Lane, onto the A340 past the Calleva roundabout in Tadley then onto Reading Road and back into Padworth Common.
There will also be a one way diversion in place for vehicles wanting to cross the bridge into Padworth Common.
Network Rail says that works will be required on either side of the bridge to tie in the approach roads as there is an increase to the height of the new road alignment.
The works will include replacing the centre span of the structure with a prefabricated filler beam to enable an increase in clearance from rail to the underside of the bridge.
The removal of the existing centre span will be craned
out over a night time possession on the Nov 9 and the precast
filler beam will be craned in during a second possession on Nov 16.
Chair of Aldermaston Parish Council, Dave Shirt, said: “Fortunately it shouldn’t affect too many people.
“We aren’t against the bridge being closed and realise the works are important, but we are a bit annoyed about the lack of communication from Network Rail.
“They arranged a drop in meeting at the last minute and a lot of people couldn’t make it, including West Berkshire Council.”
Preparatory works are scheduled to begin immediately after the bridge has been closed on the 14 Sept 14 The temporary pedestrian bridge will be craned into position during a night time possession in readiness for the closure of the bridge, once the bridge is opened to traffic and pedestrians the temporary bridge will be removed during a night time possession.
Network Rail has described the works as “integral”.



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