PLANS to reopen a road over October half term have been scrapped due to "critical" elements of a bridge replacement scheme running behind schedule.
The C10 Station Road, which links traffic from Brockenhurst and Sway with Burley, has been closed since early September
This is due to Hampshire County Council's multi-million-pound scheme to replace the A35 Holmsley Bridge which runs over the road.
Highways chiefs had planned for the C10 to reopen for two weeks this month to coincide with school half term but this move was axed by the local authority.
Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire County Council executive member for highway operations, said: “It had been our intention to lift the full road closure of the C10 Station Road for a two week period over the October half-term (October 15 to November 1).
"However, there are a number of outstanding construction activities that are critical to achieving the programmed completion date that are currently behind schedule, including the piling operations for the bridge foundations.
"The contractor is also experiencing delays in acquiring key building materials, due to national shortages.
"As a consequence, and to ensure the project remains on schedule, the C10 will need to remain closed until December.
"Completion of these works by the scheduled timescale of summer 2022 is vital for the New Forest economy so every effort is being made to recover the lost time.
"I am sorry for any inconvenience that may arise as a result.”
As reported, Hampshire County Council is funding the £5.5million project at Holmsley Bridge, which carries the A35 and runs between Christchurch and Lyndhurst.
Traffic lights are currently in place on the A35 and are due to remain until December 17.
A diversion route for the closure of the C10 is in place, going through Bransgore, Bashley Cross and Sway.
The new bridge will be built alongside the existing one and traffic transferred across before the 113-year-old bridge steel bridge is removed. The project will lead to around 380 metres of the A35 being realigned.
The project is due to be completed in June 2022, however, details of road closures and other traffic management from January onwards will not be published by the council until January.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel