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| The Iconic Bypass Bridge Stands Up To Tough Summer Tests |
Rugeley's New Flood Arches Stand the Test
The graceful and stunning flood arches under station road have proved to be more than just a pretty face and put to rest fears that the new bypass would make potential floods worse.
The bypass project has been enormously popular with the local community and realised a dream in the making for over 40 years - relieving congestion in the town centre and plugging the town into the national transport network, attracting new wave investment and jobs.
In the planning phase the only real concern expressed by some people was about the impact of building the road in the flood plain. They were worried that it would make flooding worse in the future.
Staffordshire Highways engineers put an enormous amount of thought and energy into designing flood relief into the scheme, with the flood relief arches at the centre of the operation.
And with climate change meaning more extreme weather patterns are predicted for the future, the importance of this aspect of the road design couldn't be underestimated.
This summer saw towns and villages across the UK underwater as rainfall levels broke previous records.
But despite sky high water levels along the Trent the flood relief arches and features around the new bypass performed well, ensuring flood waters were contained and controlled around the bypass.
Staffordshire Highways Chief David Wilson said the Rugeley Bypass scheme was delivering.
"An enormous amount of technical expertise and energy has been invested in the Rugeley Bypass. Everyone is keen to see the massive benefits that the new transport link will bring, but we wanted to ensure that there shouldn't be any negative side effects.
"The fear of flooding is ever present along the Trent and we didn't want to add to the problem. This summer's floods have shown that this has been a success.
"But with the ground sodden water levels high at the end of summer, the real test could come this autumn and winter. Climate change is storing up real challenges for us all. We can't be complacent," he warned.
Thousands of people are expected to flood to the bypass on the Saturday 22nd September to celebrate the completion of the bypass, within budget and ahead of schedule, with a big party.
With a vehicle cavalcade, a food fayre, music, entertainers, rides and exhibitions, it will be a great day for all the family.
Page Last Modified:
03/09/2007 14:14:37
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