Tuckton Bridge closed to traffic from 8pm to 12.30am for five nights

Tuckton Bridge is to be closed to traffic from 8pm to 12.30am for five consecutive evenings, starting tonight.

It’s to allow BCP Council to carry out essential maintenance.

Diversions will be in place.

The maintenance activities include:

• Clearance of its drainage system
• The removal of vegetation encroaching upon the bridge structure
• Weed removal
• Jet washing of the parapets
• An inspection of the external face of the bridge using a specialist access vehicle.

During the five days, all vehicular traffic will be redirected via Belle Vue Road, Southbourne Grove, Seabourne Road, the A35 Christchurch Road, the A35 Barrack Road and Stour Road.

Signage will be placed along the diversion route. Local bus operators have been notified.

Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: “This essential maintenance work on Tuckton Bridge is important as we seek to ensure its continued longevity.

“We carry out regular assessments, cleaning and inspections of all our bridges across the conurbation at set periods with their functionality and safety paramount.

“As always with this type of maintenance, there is always likely to be a level of disruption, but we endeavour to minimise this for both motorists and pedestrians as best we can by scheduling this outside of the busiest periods.

“We ask everyone to bear with us as we seek to complete this work in full and on time.

“We also advise motorists to leave a bit more time for any planned journey’s this week.”