Temporary closure of Mill Road Bridge, Cambridge

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is urging motorists to allow more time and to plan ahead for the closure of Mill Road Bridge in Cambridge, from 1 July to 25 August inclusive.

There will also be times when pedestrians will not be able to use the bridge.

A £30 million expansion of the railway depot requires modification of one of the bridge's arches to make space for an additional rail track to run underneath.

The upgrade is part of the government-sponsored £7 billion Thameslink Programme, to increase the number of Thameslink services to and from the City from as far afield as Brighton and Gatwick Airport, boosting the local economy.

Responding to residents’ and traders’ concerns about the temporary closure, GTR last year said it would move the closure dates from May-June to July-August when it would be quieter.

GTR also said it would install a temporary footbridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists.

However, follow-up detailed design work has shown the footbridge, which would have to be attached to the road bridge, would be too narrow in places and unsuitable for wheelchairs and people passing one another with bikes, prams, buggies.

An alternative solution has been found to knock down the section of road bridge one half at a time across its width. This will allow contractors to maintain the existing pavement on one side of the road bridge at a time throughout the project for pedestrians.

As previously advised, there will be occasions when, for safety reasons, there will be no pedestrian access to the bridge. These have had to be amended to accommodate the change in work. The times have been adjusted to 08.45am accommodate the morning school run.

We have reduced the number of days from 14 to a maximum of eight, possibly six, days over four, possibly only three, separate periods:

The days and times when the bridge will be fully closed, to pedestrians as well as vehicles, are:

• Friday and Saturday, 5 & 6 July – from 8.45am until 8.45pm each day, although we will endeavour to finish earlier on Saturday 6 July because of the Big Weekend festival
• Thursday and Friday, 11 & 12 July – from 8.45am until 8.45pm each day
• Sunday and Monday, 28 & 29 July – from 8.45am until 8.45pm each day
• Saturday and Sunday, 3 & 4 August – from 8.45am until 8.45pm each day

Buses

For the duration of the road closure, Stagecoach will be operating regular shuttle services from the bridge to key exchange points for onward connections. For more detailed information and the full timetable please visit the Stagecoach website: www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/mill-road-closure

GTR has also made arrangements with Cambridge Dial-a-Ride scheme to assist residents free-of-charge who would otherwise find it difficult to use the revised public transport provisions. Dial-a-Ride operates a door-to-door service, and, for the duration of the bridge closure, this will be available to residents who are unable to use the revised bus service and will be adversely affected by the closure.