Posted on Friday 29th November 2024
Radford Bridge
Vital strengthening work of two bridges which serve a major road route into Stafford is now complete as part of a multi-million-pound package of improvements which are set to finish next year.
The scheme on the A34 from Weeping Cross towards the town centre got under way in the summer. It has included vital strengthening and repairs to the Grade II Listed Radford Bridge over the River Penk and Queensville rail bridge – both with differing and complex structural requirements.
Whilst much of this work has taken place under the bridge decks and their parapets, traffic management has been necessary so that it can be carried out safely and as quickly as possible to minimise disruption along a busy route into the town.
At Radford Bridge, work has included replacing eroded sandstone bridge pillars and rebuilding the parapet wall, while at Queensville rail bridge new steel plates have been installed to strengthen the existing steelwork and brickwork repairs. This work needed to be run to a tight schedule as it involved a series of night-time possessions of the rail track. Like most older bridge structures across the county, they were not originally built to take today’s traffic weight and volume and so need continual monitoring and strengthening work from time to time.
The overall scheme will see improvements from the A34 Weeping Cross to the Queensville island and then to Queensway near the town centre next year. Surfacing of both Weeping Cross roundabouts was completed recently. Included in the scheme are road and footway resurfacing, new pedestrian crossings and cycleways and bridge maintenance.
A one-way operation is in place towards town along Radford Bank and this is due to be lifted on Monday 16 December. There will be traffic management into 2025, though Radford Bank will remain two-way.
Staffordshire County Council’s strategic cabinet member for highways Mark Deaville said:
This is a huge road and transport improvement project for Stafford and will bring lasting benefits for decades to come.
We know that with any scheme like this there will be considerable disruption, but the majority of people have been patient and understanding which we’d like to thank them for.
This is a complex and carefully planned project. It has included significant strengthening and maintenance work of the two bridges which is vital to the scheme as they carry a significant volume of traffic.
Much of this work takes place under the bridge decks, some of it overnight, and so it is quite literally overlooked by most people. This usually needs traffic management over the bridge so we’re keen to ensure people are aware when it’s taking place.
The scheme is progressing well, and we look forward to its completion next year.”
Work needs to take place now due to national funding requirements. Once completed the road surface will last for between 20 and 30 years.