Date Published: 23/06/2022
Network Rail will shortly be undertaking crucial engineering work on the railway bridge on Highfield Road, Oakley.
This work will require a full road closure and diversion in place between 08:00 and 17:00 on each day Mondays to Fridays, with single file traffic able to cross the bridge during the week outside these hours. There will be traffic lights in place. After 17:00 on Fridays and during the weekends the road will be fully open to traffic in both directions. Pedestrians will be able to cross at all times.
Network Rail will be working this way throughout the period of Monday 25 July to Friday 2 September 2022
Monitoring of the bridge has shown that there is movement taking place in the foundations of one of the wing walls so significant strengthening work is needed to make sure that the bridge remains open and safe for all users, both road and rail, in the future.
Piling will be required to underpin the foundations and other masonry defects will be repaired at the same time. Network Rail is planning to use auger piling, which is a less disruptive method of piling and this is planned during the day.
The equipment used and the temporary scaffolding needed to do this safely means that a half road closure will be in place while they are working. Network Rail has worked with the local highways authority to arrange the least disruptive time to do this, i.e. during the six week school summer holidays.
Network Rail is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to you. A public event will be held before work starts to allow anyone to hear from the team and ask questions. This will take place on:
Friday 08 July 2022 from 18:30 – 20:00
Oakley Village Hall
Church Lane
Oakley
Bedford MK43 7RJ