Traffic restrictions brought in at Steventon Bridge

Traffic restrictions have been introduced to High Street in Steventon due to the deterioration of brickwork on Steventon Bridge.

Oxfordshire County Council, which owns and maintains the bridge, has narrowed the B4017 across the bridge and brought in a traffic priority system following a review of the structure’s load carrying capacity.

Cones and temporary signs are currently in place until vehicular barriers, permanent signs and road markings can be installed.

An inspection will be carried out as soon as access can be gained on to the railway to review the condition of the brickwork in more detail. This may require further restrictions to be imposed until the bridge can be strengthened or replaced.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance, said: “It is always difficult when these vital pieces of infrastructure begin to deteriorate but inaction is not an option. I am incredibly grateful for the leadership local county councillor Sally Povolotsky has shown in communicating the options to the community and their patience and understanding as we work to keep access as open as possible and the network safe.”

Oxfordshire County Council is working with Network Rail to gain entry on to the railway at the earliest opportunity to help manage the risks to the railway associated with the bridge, whilst minimising disruption to rail services, as well as to residents and businesses.

Investigations have recently been carried out to help determine the causes of the dips in the road at the northern end of the bridge, which are due to be treated alongside carriageway resurfacing across the bridge to help reduce the rate of deterioration.

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