FINAL STAGE OF THE M2 WIDENING OVER THE MEDWAY

17 Jun 2002 12:12 PM

A temporary closure of the footpath and cycle track over the existing M2 Medway Bridge, from next Monday (June 24) until the end of the year heralds the start of the final stage of the Highways Agency's M2 widening works over the River Medway.

A free minibus service will take users across the river instead.

This closure is necessary to allow the safe removal of parts of the cantilever section of the bridge that currently supports the footpath and cycleway. These works are being undertaken ahead of the major refurbishment and modification works to the existing Medway Bridge, and can only be undertaken when there is no traffic on the structure.

The new Medway Bridge is nearing completion, and M2 traffic is expected to be re-routed to pass over it during August. Traffic will continue to use the new bridge until the work on the existing Medway Bridge has been completed in the Spring of 2003. Coast-bound traffic will then use the newly-formed four lane carriageway on the existing Medway Bridge, leaving the new Medway Bridge to provide the four lanes for London-bound traffic.

Highways Agency project manager Colin Chadwick said: "The Highways Agency regrets any inconvenience that the closure of this footpath and cycleway will cause. There is no alternative safe way that would allow the works to construct this major civil engineering project to continue. We will be doing all that we can to minimise the period that the closure is in force."

"A temporary free bus service will take cyclists, pedestrians and disabled people across the river. Throughout the project we have built up an excellent relationship with the public and the local community, and I feel sure everyone will understand that it is a necessary step in completing this major improvement."

Throughout the closure period, the main contractors on the widening scheme, CSM Joint Venture, will operate a free minibus service. This will be for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people who normally use the footpath/cycleway. The vehicle has a rear ramp for wheelchairs, prams and cycles, and will also take dogs and rucksacks

Bus stops will be located where the footpath/cycleway will be closed, at the A228 Cuxton Road and Wouldham Road on the Borstal side of the river.

A timetabled bus service will run in each direction between 7.00am and 6.00pm on weekdays, and 8.00am and 4.30pm at weekends. Outside these hours, the service will be on-call; there will be a CCTV camera at each bus stop with an intercom linked to the CSM site security office which can be used to summon a vehicle.

Leaflets giving full details of the bus service are being distributed, and will be available in public libraries and tourist information offices, or from the CSM Joint Venture, Community Relations Manager, Project Offices, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent ME5 9SB, telephone 0845 602 1304, website : www.csmjv.com. The footpath forms part of the North Downs Way National Trail, and information will also be available on its website, www.nationaltrails.gov.uk .

The alternative route for people not wishing to use the minibus is via Rochester Bridge and Rochester Castle, and along the Esplanade.

Notes to Editors

1.Work on the new Medway Bridge began in November 1999 as part of a project to widen 17 kilometres of the A2/M2 between the Cobham junction on the A2, and Junction 4 of the M2 at Gillingham. This is one of the largest, and the most complicated civil engineering project in the Agency's current road building programme, involving the design, construction and modification of more than 30 major highway structures. Construction is being carried out by a joint venture of Costain Civil Engineering, Skanska Civil Engineering International, and John Mowlem Ltd.

2. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at www.highways.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by South East Press and PR Team. Media enquiries to David Sanders or Cosima Duggal on 01306 878160. e-mail: david.sanders@highways.gsi.gov.uk