Last updated at 20:39, Thursday, 09 February 2012

The closure of Workington’s Northside Road to allow beams for the town’s new road bridge to be erected has been postponed.

The road was due to be closed this weekend so a crane could be brought to lift beams for the northern side of the new River Derwent crossing.

But the work has been put back to February 24 because of delays with the preparation.

Stuart MacFarlane, project manager for contractor Birse Civils, said the delays would not affect the overall timeframe of the job, and the bridge remains on track for opening in August.

Workers were this week casting the concrete for the northern abutment and pier which the beams will be put on to.

Mr MacFarlane said the road was likely to be closed from 10pm on Friday, February 24, until 6am on Monday, February 27.

The crane is expected to spend most of the weekend lifting eight components into place.

The closure is expected to be between Northside roundabout and the temporary road bridge.

The beams for the southern side of the bridge will arrive later. A road closure will not be needed for that part of the work as it will be done on the existing approach to the bridge.

Mr MacFarlane added: “We have got our maximum resource on site now. Productivity is going up and we hope to start seeing some real progress.

“As the weather picks up we are hoping to make some time up over the coming few months.”

First published at 19:20, Thursday, 09 February 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk