Windsor and Eton relief road project manager Craig Bassett has written to update us about the proposed works on Maidenhead Road flyover that were due occur this weekend.

 

The works, and associated road closure, have been put back one week (subject to weather). This is due to technical and contractual issues, and also to investigate a proposal that would enable the work to go ahead without having to close the road.

 

This delay does not affect the end date of the project.

We will update the site when we hear whether road closures are expected next weekend - the 29th and 30th.

Previously we had been told that improvements to the Maidenhead Road flyover – the raised part of the Windsor and Eton relief road (WERR) which runs from the Clarence Road roundabout to Elizabeth Bridge, where the road crosses the Thames – would take place on two consecutive weekends. The aim is to reduce the impact on residents and shorten the Windsor and Eton relief road project by up to two weeks.

The flyover will be rejointed and waterproofed, which requires work over the full width of the carriageway. As a result, the road would be closed to traffic in one direction each weekend.

Work on the northbound carriageway (heading away from Windsor) was planned for this Friday 21 to Sunday 23 January. The southbound carriageway (towards Windsor) would then have been closed the following weekend, Friday 28 to Sunday 30 January. However the works are weather-dependent and final decisions about the work going ahead were to be made on the Wednesday before.

If and when the work does proceed, both lanes on the relevant carriageway will be closed from 8pm on the Friday until work is completed on Sunday evening.

Rejointing and waterproofing are essential to the relief road project. Unfortunately it is also noisy, requiring the use of jackhammers.

The decision to go for weekend work, rather than the originally planned 20 nights, was taken because the disadvantages – the noise and the closure of the road in one direction – are greatly outweighed by the benefits:

·    Instead of 20 nights of jackhammer use and other noisy activities, the noise will be concentrated over two weekends.

·    Every effort will be made to do as much of the noisy work as possible during the day.

·    As the work will be carried out only if the weather is favourable, the risk of delays is reduced.

·    This will potentially shorten the time of the overall WERR project by up to two weeks.

Cllr Colin Rayner, Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetcare, said: “We apologise in advance to residents living near the road for the noise, which is unfortunately unavoidable while this essential work is carried out. We also apologise to anyone whose journey may be affected by the works.

“But, with our residents in mind, we have been able to compress the works into two weekends – a much better option than 20 nights of disruption.

”We are working closely with Birse, our contractors, to make sure they keep to the timetable.”

Over the first weekend, traffic travelling northwards will be diverted from the Clarence Road roundabout onto the slip road through the Maidenhead Road roundabout and back onto the relief road. The northbound on-slip traffic lights will be switched off during this time.

During the second weekend, a number of measures will be in place to help traffic flow towards Windsor:

·    There will be signs on Maidenhead Road on the approach to Windsor advising of possible delays. Motorists are advised to find an alternative route if at all possible.

·    The lights at the intersection of Maidenhead Road and Stovell Road (the road leading to Windsor Leisure Centre) will be switched off.

·    Traffic leaving Stovell Road will have to turn left into Maidenhead Road.

Cllr Rayner added: “I appeal to residents and visitors to continue supporting local businesses during this time by finding an alternative route into town or using public transport.”

The works are being carried out by the Council’s contractors, Birse. If anyone has any comments or complaints about the work, staff behaviour, traffic congestion or noise, they should email werr@rbwm.gov.uk or call 01628 683868.

If time runs out for the works to be done over either weekend, the road will still be reopened in time for the Monday rush hour and the final surfacing completed at a later date.

Photo courtesy of Red-Cyan's flickr stream.