WORK to replace an old railway bridge where a major road runs through will begin in September.

The project to fully replace the bridge at Holmsley which carries the A35, will get underway in the autumn.

A site compound will be set-up in August, Hampshire County Council have confirmed.

The project is expected to cost £3.5million.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, executive member for highway operations, said: “I am pleased that we have appointed Knights Brown as our contractor to carry out the Holmsley bridge replacement scheme.

“We’ve been closely monitoring the condition of this bridge since it became the county council’s responsibility in 2012.

“The current steel structure was built in 1908 but has now deteriorated to the point where full replacement is the only viable cost-effective option.

“In 2020 the speed limit on the A35 was temporarily reduced, temporary safety barriers were installed, and additional steel supports placed under the bridge.

“The new single span concrete bridge will minimise future maintenance costs and, as part of the scheme, a 380m section of the A35 carriageway will be realigned and resurfaced with improved surface water drainage. This will ensure safer travel on this key route through the New Forest.”

“We have been working closely and extensively with the New Forest National Park Authority, Verderers, Natural England and Forestry England throughout to make sure that this scheme is carried out sensitively in this unique part of Hampshire.

“Local Councillors, nearby residents, and local businesses have been contacted as part of the scheme development and this will continue during the construction phases. I would like to emphasise that the Old Station Tea Rooms will be open for business as usual.”

The site compound will be set up at the Osmonds Bushes car park.

Where temporary road closures become necessary, signed diversion routes will be in place.

The new bridge will be built alongside the existing structure, and then traffic will be transferred over onto it. The old steel bridge will then be removed.

Works are due to be completed by summer 2022.

For more information visit the scheme web pages: hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/holmsley-rail-bridge-replacement

Holmsley Rail Bridge is one of a number of redundant railway structures in Hampshire previously owned by British Rail Board (Residuary) Ltd. It was originally opened in 1847 and replaced in 1908.

The railway was closed in 1964 and the track was replaced with the C10 Station Road in the 1970s. The bridge was eventually transferred to Hampshire County Council in 2012.

Due to the age of the bridge and its form of construction, its general condition has been steadily deteriorating over the years, primarily due to corrosion of the steel plates and rivets.

The County Council has continually assessed the structure, to ensure that it can continue to support the required traffic loadings, despite its deteriorating condition.

In August 2018 props were installed in some areas under the bridge to keep it functional until it could be replaced.