HIGHWAYS chiefs have confirmed overnight closures might be needed in the latter stages of a multi-million-pound road bridge replacement project.

Engineers contracted by Hampshire County Council have been carrying out the major scheme on the A35 at Holmsley for several months.

The main road, along with the C10 which runs under the bridge, has been completely closed for a prolonged period, impacting on businesses and forcing motorists to take lengthy diversions.

Contractor Knights Brown is working hard to meet the target of having the roads back open by Easter, namely April 8.

The firm warned delays caused by storms in February left the project team trying to make up lost time.

Part of the work has required utilities companies to remove cabling from the old bridge, which is being removed and replaced.

This included telecommunications giant Vodaphone.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “We successfully completed necessary work over the weekend of March 19 and 20 in order to allow the bridge construction company to continue with the bridge demolition.

"We are now among a number of organisations who are waiting for further work to take place which will then allow us all to remove our cables from the temporary scaffolding on the bridge.

"We are not responsible for the delay in this activity.”

The Daily Echo contacted Hampshire County Council seeking clarification over whether the work of utilities companies would require further closures or prolong the project.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Further to the statement made by Vodafone, the county council understands that when the cables are moved to the new Holmsley bridge, the impact on the A35 should be limited.

"The plan to reopen the A35 to traffic at Easter is still in place albeit that localised traffic management, or possibly short-term overnight closures, will continue to be needed for various construction activities from then until the end of June when the scheme is expected to be fully completed.”