‘Bad weather’ to blame for bridge opening delay

A TRANSPORT chief has said that bad weather is to blame for the latest delay to the re-opening of the Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB) between Runcorn and Widnes.

Cllr Stan Hill (transportation) said high winds and downpours had put the major renovation and maintenance project back as well as a cable stay that had to be replaced.

He said no such work had been attempted worldwide.

Last week the Weekly News revealed that the bridge is now due to re-open to cyclists and pedestrians in spring and to vehicles in summer.

Walkers and bicycles had been expected to be able to use the crossing again from summer 2019 onwards, and cars from spring 2020, but these target dates have been scrapped.

The bridge closed in

October 2017 and was initially due to open again a year later after renovation works but works have been ongoing now for two years.

Once completed, the revamped bridge will have cycling and walkways each way and one lane of traffic in either direction, reduced from two each way before the closure.

The pedestrian routes are also being brought onto the main deck of the bridge whereas previously, the pavements were outside the main arch structure with the long drop to the water below separated from residents walking on foot by a mediumheight metal barrier.

It will not be able to open to road traffic again until major works involving the demolition of a flyover and construction of a roundabout are completed, in a scheme intended to kickstart the Runcorn Station Quarter regeneration project.

This has reached a major milestone this month with an elevated section road now completely removed opposite Runcorn Station.

Cllr Hill said: “The delay to the re-opening of the SJB has been caused by bad weather.

“High winds and heavy rain have caused delays plus one of the cable stays had to be replaced.

“This was an operation that has never been attempted on any of the bridges of similar design worldwide. It has been completed successfully and once the scaffolding above the walkway has been removed the bridge will be open to walkers and cyclists.

“Motorised transport will not be allowed to cross until the roadway is re-configured into one lane each way and a separate cycle way installed and then connected to the new highway network being built in

Runcorn.”