Urgent repairs to Swing Bridge in Exeter

Essential repairs will be carried out to the Swing Bridge in Exeter, starting next week (Monday 27 April).

Recent inspections of the bridge, which carries outbound traffic on the A379, have found that the ends of the two main steel beams of the structure have suffered corrosion and these corroded sections need to be replaced.

Repairs will be carried out from Monday 27 April to Friday 15 May. To enable work to be undertaken the Swing Bridge will be moved to its open position for extended periods and contraflow arrangements, with temporary traffic lights, will be introduced over the Bascule Bridge. This temporary road layout and traffic signals will be in place 24 hours a day, including weekends, throughout the duration of the scheme.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The corrosion to the steel means this safety critical work needs to be carried out as soon as possible. This kind of scheme, on such a busy route, would normally be carried out overnight but due to the lighter traffic flows during the current lockdown, work can be undertaken in the daytime using contraflow traffic management. Site staff will be following social distancing guidelines, and daytime working should help the progress of the scheme. Every effort will be made to complete this work ahead of schedule.”

For the safety of the public and site workers, the speed limit along Bridge Road will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph. The temporary traffic lights will be monitored by the contactor on site Monday-Friday from 7am to 4pm, to allow priority for emergency vehicles.

A temporary crossing will also be provided to enable the cycle route between the canal basin and Starcross to remain open. This temporary crossing will be manned during busy periods and will be 5 metres wide to aid social distancing.