Storms fail to derail Boscombe scheme (From Bournemouth Echo)

Storms fail to derail Boscombe scheme

7:00pm Thursday 19th November 2009 in

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LEAVES on the line have long been used as an excuse for rail delays.

But leaves, debris and howling gales caused by the weekend storms failed to put Network Rail behind schedule with their work on the Ashley Road bridge.

Saturday saw the demolition of the old bridge and the installation of the main part of the new structure, despite the weather.

The overall programme remains due for completion on December 19.

“It is a credit to our team on-site that the work was still carried out in the weather conditions we had at the weekend,” said a spokesman for Network Rail.

“It could not have been much worse and was the sort of thing that could have delayed a project like this, but the overall programme is still on track.”

The controversial project is causing chaos in Boscombe with road closures causing traffic jams and prompting heavy criticism from local traders.

They fear shoppers will avoid Boscombe in the crucial trading period in the run-up to Christmas. Hundreds of motorists are also fuming after being caught taking a short-cut through Kings Park. Those who have driven through a temporary bus lane face £60 fines.

Children at Kings Park Primary School are currently doing a project on the effects of the work after seeing it first-hand.