DRIVERS, pedestrians and horse riders in the New Forest face a fortnight of disruption as engineers carry out bridge repairs.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) are carrying out work at Holmsley Rail Bridge near Burley for ten days, over two weeks, from Tuesday.

Station Road, which runs underneath the bridge, will be closed between 9am and 4pm on August 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22.

The road will also be subject to a lane closure on August 16, 17, 23, 24 and 28 with traffic lights controlling traffic.

Cllr Rob Humby, HCC's executive member for environment and transport, said: “We have plans in place to replace the bridge in 2020. The repairs that we are going to do now are necessary to keep the bridge open until then.

“I am pleased to confirm that The Old Station Tea Rooms will be open for business as usual for the duration of the works.

“We appreciate that these repairs fall within the school holidays and that the New Forest area will be busy with visitors and holiday makers but we have made every effort to keep the road closure to a minimum and avoid the rush hour times for traffic.”

Pedestrians and horse riders are advised they will also be affected as the footpath and bridleway under the bridge will also be closed during these times.