'Unsafe' bridge to be replaced

Disruption to rail users will be minimised

A road bridge over the East Coast Main Line which has failed safety tests is to be replaced.

Work on Relley bridge, near Durham City, is due to start on 5 January and will take about 12 months to complete.

An innovative engineering technique will be employed at the site in an effort to cut down disruption to motorists and rail users.

Relley bridge carries the B6302 over the East Coast Main Line to villages in the Deerness Valley and is an important link for the area.

The existing 19th Century bridge failed to meet current standards when it was structurally assessed as part of a national bridge assessment programme.

Safety barriers

Chris Tunstall, Durham County Council's director of environment and technical services, said the work could be carried out without closing the road.

He said: "The new bridge will be built off-line, so that traffic can continue to use the existing route before being switched to the realigned road and bridge.

"The new Relley will provide a footpath and cycle track whilst the old road will be landscaped and planted with trees.

"The approaches to the bridge will also have safety barriers complying with current standards."

A significant feature of the £3m works will involve the launch of a near completed 70-metre bridge over the main railway line using a newly developed technique which will be a first in County Durham.

The method will significantly reduce disruption to both rail and road users.

Normally bridges are lowered in place, but overhead power lines, the East Coast Main Line railway, access difficulties and the overall length of the bridge would make this very difficult at Relley.