A week-long public exhibition will provide information on an essential scheme to repair a busy road bridge in Bishop Auckland.
Cockton Hill Railway Bridge will be closed to vehicles for up to five weeks while Durham County Council replaces the decking. However, preparatory work will begin next month, with a temporary footbridge being constructed alongside the bridge during the weekend of Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th January.
The footbridge will initially be used to transfer public utility services before the start of work on the main bridge. It will then provide access for pedestrians.
The road will be closed from Monday, March 29th, but a diversion along Escomb Road will be clearly signposted.
Rail services will be suspended from Friday, April 2nd to Wednesday, April 14th, with trains terminating at Shildon. However, a shuttle bus will be in operation between Shildon and Bishop Auckland while the line is not in operation.
On-street parking will also be prohibited along the eastern end of Escomb Road in order to allow diverted traffic to pass through safely.
An exhibition detailing the scheme will be on display at the Methodist Church on Cockton Hill Road, and the Town Hall Library in Market Place, from Wednesday, January 13th to Wednesday, January 20th during normal opening hours.
Staff from Durham County Council will also be on hand to answer questions at the following times:
- Town Hall Library, Thursday, January 14th, 6.00pm to 7.00pm and Saturday, January 16th, 10.00am to 12 noon.
- Methodist Church, Monday, January 18th, 10.00am to 12 noon.
Steve Keetley, Head of Technical Services, said, “This is a very busy bridge and its deteriorating condition has meant we have already had to introduce a weight restriction.
“However, these major improvement works, which should be completed by the end of April, should ensure its future.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
