The grimacingly slow repair work at the St Denys Road bridge, closing one lane, is expected to continue at least into next month, frustrating motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and residents.

 

As reported, it’s understood subsidence occurred in early December last year by the railway bridge on the A3035 leading up to the Thomas Lewis Way crossroads .

There was also a lane closure in the same spot last July which caused similar tailbacks, as Network Rail carried out work by the bridge.

The latest incident has again led to a closed lane on the key route into Southampton, that’s been in place ever since – clogging up the key westbound route over the river and resulting in queues often over Cobden Bridge and beyond.

And while St Denys Road underwent extensive work over several phases only last year, from April and from October, in order to improve journey times for all users, so far there’s been little chance to assess any benefits due to other roadworks.

Responding to Cllr Phil Webb’s (Lab, Bitterne Park) urgent request for information from Network Rail (NR) about the “lack of repair to bridge – delays to road travel”, an NR representative said that although “the collapsed wall was not confirmed as under our ownership, given that the safety of the trains, passengers and members of the public was our priority, we have undertaken the necessary work”.

They added: “We have progressively moved forward with the design process and temporary work, so that once further funds are released to us (which have now been secured), we will move forward swiftly. Please kindly note, that we’re also working with SSE for some of their cabling at this bridge.”

They also said that “once funding is released, SSE will carry out their cabling work and you should then see a vast improvement in work being carried out”.

Cllr Eamonn Keogh (Lab), cabinet member for environment and transport at Southampton City Council, told bitternepark.info: “At this point in time, I do not have a definite date for when the repairs to the rail bridge on St Denys road will be completed. The city council is working to support network rail and pursuing all options to complete these repairs as soon as possible, but this is a network rail asset and therefore their responsibility to repair.

“It is regrettable that the repairs by network rail on their asset is taking longer than both the council and residents would prefer and hopefully network rail will recognise the urgency of completing the repair in a timely manner.”

At the time of writing the lane closure is still listed on one.network, which the city uses to itemise traffic disruptions, until March 29. It now lists the scaffold licence as having been extended until June 27.