Important: Repair and Resurfacing Works for Tuckton Bridge

Tuckton Bridge - spanning the River Stour between Tuckton and Christchurch - is due to undergo essential repair and resurfacing works.

Built in 1904, Tuckton Bridge was the first reinforced concrete bridge to be built in the UK.

Starting on 5 March, works will be initially undertaken to repair sections of the concrete structure and carry out essential improvements to the kerbing and drainage on the bridge deck for a five week period. During this time the bridge will be restricted to a single traffic lane controlled by temporary traffic lights.

A full closure of the bridge will then be required for a period of four days to replace the road resurfacing on the bridge, however, this has been programmed to take place during the Easter school holiday period when the impact on traffic and in particular school buses will be reduced. Throughout the works at least one footway will be available for pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for Transport and Technical Services, said: "These are essential maintenance works to a heavily used structure which is over 100 years old. I would like to reassure the travelling public that we have done all we can to programme these works in such a manner as to minimise disruption to traffic."

Whilst Bournemouth Council is the lead Authority for the maintenance of this cross-boundary bridge, fifty percent of the overall repair cost will be shared by Dorset County Council.

From this week (20 February) advanced warning signboards and mobile VMS (electronic signboards) will be placed in key locations on either side of the bridge to advise and inform the travelling public to consider the likely delays at the bridge in their future planned journeys.