Bridge works drag on for months

Diversions and one-way traffic have been in place since January

Roadworks on a major road in Surrey are continuing to cause delays months after they should have been completed.

Surrey County Council (SCC) originally said strengthening work on the A24 Pippbrook Bridge in Dorking would take 16 weeks between January and May.

But the end date was extended to 24 July, with drivers complaining of regular three-mile tailbacks.

SCC said the work was set back because the bridge was in a worse condition than expected and bad weather.

The work was needed to prolong the life of Pippbrook Bridge, near Deepdene Station on the approach to Dorking town centre.

Diversions are in place, with the dual carriageway reduced to one-way traffic.

Worst snowfall

"To extend roadworks to double the length of time on such a major road is probably because of poor planning and that makes me angry," said driver Jemma Brodie.

Surrey was hit by the worst snowfall for 18 years in February, and head of transport at SCC, Ian Lake, said adverse weather had affected the job.

Once work started, it was discovered that repairs to mains and sewers were needed.

And a hole was discovered in the bridge arch structure below ground level.

He said the council believed it had done as much survey work as possible in advance.

"It was just unfortunate that these issues arose but these works had to be done for safety reasons," he said.

"We consider it is vital that the work is done correctly and done correctly first time."