Weymouth relief road works set to start with diversion (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth relief road works set to start with diversion

8:40am Saturday 22nd November 2008 in

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WORK starts soon to construct the new Littlemoor Road bridge as part of the £84 million Weymouth Relief Road scheme.

For eight weeks from next Thursday Skanska will be fencing land at Littlemoor and building a temporary diversionary road to the north of Littlemoor Roundabout.

The temporary route will be in place for around nine months to allow the safe construction of the new Littlemoor Road bridge which will carry Littlemoor Road over the relief road.

Once the bridge is built the diversionary route will be closed and traffic will be able to use the new bridge.

Dorset County Council highways head Andy Ackerman said: “The construction of Littlemoor Road Bridge is the first phase of building the Weymouth Relief Road.

“Getting the bridge in place will mean that traffic flow in Littlemoor will not be affected during the building of the road. Construction vehicles will be able to use the ‘Littlemoor gap’, under the bridge, as access to the relief road site.

“Before the bridge is built, work will be carried out on fencing the area off and clearing the ground in preparation for construction.

“Work will then start on the retaining walls and noise barriers along the ‘Littlemoor gap’. This means that, by the time the road is being used as works access, residents will be protected by the noise barriers.”

Bridge works mean that the existing footpath from Littlemoor Road to Icen Lane will be diverted up Nightingale Drive on to Icen Lane.

The footpath between Turnstone Close and Littlemoor Road will be closed and an alternative route will be put in place, but access to properties and access through Littlemoor will be maintained during the works. Changes will see: n Brambling Close closed to traffic at Littlemoor Roundabout.

n The southern end of Nightingale Drive will be opened to traffic to provide access on to Littlemoor Road from Brambling Close and the north.

n Goldcrest Close will be closed to traffic at Littlemoor Roundabout.

n The northern end of The Finches will be opened to traffic to provide access on to Littlemoor Road from Goldcrest Close and the south.

n A temporary bus stop will be provided on Littlemoor Road near the junction with Turnstone Close.

n Access by foot to Icen Lane will be via Nightingale Drive.

n A new temporary route north of the existing Littlemoor Road roundabout will be constructed to provide access for car and foot traffic along Littlemoor Road.

Littlemoor Bridge is a key part of the early work schedule which also includes drainage, remediation, earthworks and retaining walls which are all due to be completed by October 2009.

The main carriageway is due to open in October 2010 and the overall contract to be completed early in 2011.