Hertfordshire drivers facing disruption as work to repair bridges over A1(M) gets underway

The Norton Road bridge connects Baldock and Letchworth. Credit: Highways England

Drivers in Hertfordshire are facing disruption over the coming weeks as work to refurbish two bridges over the A1(M) gets underway.

Highways England have just started a £550,000 project to repair the bridges which link the towns of Baldock and Letchworth.

The work will include things like replacing the expansion joints and adding a new waterproof layer to the road surfaces to prevent further damage in the future.

The bridges, which are located on Baldock Lane and Norton Road, were last refurbished in 1999.

They will be closed for the duration of the work which is due to be completed by Tuesday 17 April.

The bridges have suffered damage over the last few years. Credit: Highways England

“Safety is our top priority, and we once this work is completed these bridges will be able to continue serving the local community for years to come," Highways England’s project manager Steve Cox said.

"We appreciate that closing the bridges will inconvenience road users, so we’ll be ensuring that we have clearly signed diversion routes in place and operatives on hand to escort residents and business to where they need to get to.

“We’ll complete this work as swiftly as we can, and residents can be assured that once complete, it will prevent further planned repair works on the bridge for 25 years. It’s vital that these mechanisms within the bridges are replaced, and we’ll be liaising with our local partners including the councils to help ensure everyone is aware of the work that we’re doing.”

What diversions are in place?

  • While work is carried out on the Baldock Lane bridge, the road will be closed from the junction with Pryor Way in Letchworth Garden City to Weston Way in Baldock. There will be a clearly signed diversion in place via Letchworth Gate, the A505, the B197 London Road, and then Baldock Weston Way to reach Baldock. Drivers heading westbound will follow this diversion in reverse.

  • While work is carried out on the Norton Road bridge, the road will be closed from the junction with Norton Road in Letchworth Garden City to the junction with Norton Road and Icknield Way in Baldock. There will be a clearly signed diversion in place via Norton Road (Letchworth), then the A507 through Stotfold, and Icknield Way to reach Baldock. Drivers heading westbound will follow this diversion in reverse.