THREE road bridges beneath a busy route in Aylestone Village are to undergo extensive repair work over the coming months.
Major repairs are needed to the Middleton Street Canal Bridge and the Middleton Street Overflow Bridge, along with replacement of the surfacing on Braunstone Lane East bridge, which between them carry the road over waterways including the Grand Union Canal and River Biam, a tributary of the River Soar.
Work is due to start on Monday, September 28, and is expected to last for 14 weeks, subject to weather conditions.
Traffic will not be able to travel over the bridges during the works, but will be able to access Middleton Street on either side of the bridge closures, both from the Aylestone Road and Narborough Road directions.
The work will involve renewing the bridges’ waterproofing systems, road surfacing, re-pointing the brick abutments, updating parapets, installing new crash barriers and carrying out concrete repairs under the bridge.
It is being carried out as part of Leicester City Council’s annual highway maintenance programme which is seeing £4.5m invested in road repairs, resurfacing and bridge maintenance across the city.
Throughout the work, pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained as far as is safely possible, with some restrictions likely around the areas being worked upon.
Some temporary local parking and loading restrictions may be in place to allow traffic flow and delivery of building materials.
Advanced warning signs are being out in place to warn motorists of the closure, and letters are being sent to nearby residents.
Leicester deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, Cllr Adam Clarke, is also a ward councillor for Aylestone.
He said: “The Middleton Street and Braunstone Lane East route is a well-used road connecting Aylestone to the western part of the city, and naturally the wear and tear over the years means we need to carry out these repairs from time to time.
“It is vital that we ensure these bridges remain safe for all road users for years to come, and unfortunately that means closing the road over them while these necessary, and fairly extensive repairs are carried out.
“Fortunately, we’ll be able to ensure that pedestrian and cycle access remains open throughout the works, rather than completely closing this busy route.”
Updates of all traffic and travel on the city and county’s roads are available on Twitter from Area Traffic Control on @ATCLeicester
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