The next phase of work to replace a 90-year-old bridge on the Leicestershire-Nottinghamshire border is about to begin.
The £19.5m scheme will see the deteriorating ‘Zouch Bridge’, which spans the River Soar, replaced with a new one.
Picture credit: Leicestershire County Council
The Leicestershire County Council scheme is being delivered by specialist contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering and is due to be completed by early 2027.
The new bridge will be situated parallel to the existing bridge and accessed by re-aligned sections of the A6006, near Zouch village.
The existing bridge will be demolished and the old approach roads removed, so the ground can be landscaped.
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, lead member for highways and transport at Leicestershire County Council, said: “This is an ambitious project on a key route. Things are starting to take shape and we are looking forward to seeing work continue to progress.
“We would like to thank residents and motorists for bearing with us. Disruption is being minimised wherever possible and we will be reducing the national speed limit on a small section of the A6006 to 30mph from 10 February, to protect our workforce during construction.
“There will also be some road closures at points, which will be carefully programmed in and kept to a minimum, whilst essential work takes place.”
Gavin Hulme, Operations Director for Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “We are proud to be working on this technically demanding and complex bridge replacement project for Leicestershire County Council.
“It demonstrates our capability to deliver challenging projects of this nature, and we look forward to continued collaboration with the client and their team in delivering a successful outcome and securing this critical infrastructure for the future. “
A new works compound is being installed from February, along with a new access track and ground preparation for the equipment which will help to assemble the bridge.
The Public Right of Way which crosses the site will also be closed during the work. This will be re-routed and the revised footpath will be opened when the scheme is completed.
The council is responsible for around 300 bridges which require continuing maintenance, but few need work on the scale of Zouch.
More information about the scheme and latest updates, can be found at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/zouch-bridge-replacement-scheme
