Kibworth Bridge Closure Delayed Over Safety Worries
The six-month closure of a well-used pedestrian bridge over the railway in Kibworth has been delayed over safety concerns.
Network Rail had planned to shut the structure on School Road later this week, but will now keep it open until the end of June, while further discussions take place about a planned diversion route, which currently involves people having to cross two busy roads.
Around 100 villagers attended a public meeting last week to voice concerns about the upcoming closure, as the bridge is used by pedestrians to get between Kibworth Harcourt and Kibworth Beauchamp, to access Warwick Park and by youngsters walking to and from Kibworth Primary School and The Kibworth School.
The bridge needs to be closed so it can be re-built as part of work to electrify the midland mainline and there have been also been calls for a temporary structure to be installed while it takes place.
Councillors in Kibworth and Neil O’Brien MP will now meet Network Rail to discuss the situation.
Cllr Simon Whelband, a district councillor for the Kibworths, spoke to HFM:
https://harboroughfm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/simon-bridge-concern.mp3[1]
The School Road bridge
In an update letter to residents, Ian Bellamy, Community Relations Manager for Network Rail, said: “We fully acknowledge the concerns raised by the residents regarding the proposed diversionary route to the bridge on School Road and we are looking at potential mitigations for this.
“Following discussions with our contractors we can confirm that, as a diversionary route is still being discussed, the bridge on School Road will remain open until the end of June.
“We apologise that we’re not able to give an further details at this stage and for any inconvenience caused.”
Related
References
- ^ https://harboroughfm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/simon-bridge-concern.mp3 (harboroughfm.co.uk)