Overrunning railway bridge works should soon end

An end is in sight to months of misery and chaos caused by overrunning roadworks in West Berkshire. The A340 at Aldermaston was closed in March to allow for work on three road bridges over the Great Western rail line as part of a one billion pound electrification scheme. But engineers discovered one bridge was in a such a poor state they were forced to demolish and rebuild it. It meant the work due to end in May was extended by several months. Today Network Rail confirmed the A340 bridge will reopen on Monday week, September 17th. But the closure has caused frustration and anger to local firms who say it has cost them millions of pounds in lost business. Local pubs, construction firms and businesses along the Kennett and Anon Canal have all been badly affected.

The road closure has led to long diversions for drivers between Theale and Tadley. Aldermaston Wharf has been cut off to all passing traffic and trade. Network Rail says the work is vital to the plan to improve rail services and only when it started to work on the bridge it discovered it was in a much worse state than expected.