Cookham bridge to re-open
The Thames crossing has been closed since last October
Cookham Bridge will reopen to vehicles as planned this month following essential maintenance work.
The bridge will reopen on Saturday 16 March following its closure last October for work including bearing replacement, re-waterproofing, resurfacing and joint replacement.
Final works underneath the bridge will continue until next month to complete the project.
This important refurbishment project has extended the life of the Grade II listed structure, ensuring the bridge, which has a 7.5 tonne weight limit, continues to serve the community for many years to come and means more disruptive work will be avoided in future years.
Complex project
Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for highways and transport, said:
“I’m pleased to see this project largely completed, which will future proof Cookham Bridge for years to come, and the bridge set to reopen to traffic. By making this investment now, we have ensured that the bridge is fit for purpose for everyone to use for decades to come and have avoided more disruptive work in future years. This project has extended the life of the bridge, maintaining a key route and connection for residents, businesses, as well as visitors to our borough.
“While I understand that this project has brought some temporary disruption for road users, residents and businesses in the area, we have strived to keep this to a minimum and kept the community updated both in advance of, and during, the work.
“I’d particularly like to thank the community and businesses in Cookham for their patience and understanding while this work has been ongoing. I’d also like to thank our officers for their work and our highways contractor, VolkerHighways, for undertaking this work as swiftly as practically possible.
“This was a complex project involving detailed technical work on a listed structure, which had to be undertaken in phases. In January, the village was affected by significant flooding, and, alongside our emergency response, we continued to prioritise these essential maintenance works as we knew this was important to the community. My thanks also to People to Places, who provided alternative door-to-door dial-a-ride services for those with reduced mobility or a disability in the area.”
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera has also been installed on the bridge to tackle those drivers breaching the bridge’s 7.5 tonne weight limit.
For the first six months, motorists who break the rules will be sent a warning letter for a first-time infringement of their vehicle. Any subsequent breach during this period will lead to a penalty charge notice. After that first six months, warning letters will end, and all breaches will result in a penalty charge notice.
Fines will be reinvested to maintain cameras and make roads safer and more efficient.