Cookham bridge to be closed for 20 weeks
Vehicles will be banned while essential maintenance work is carried out
Maintenance works to a major Grade II listed Berkshire bridge have been approved.
The maintenance to Cookham bridge is to include re-painting of steelwork, structural bearing replacement, structural strengthening, re-waterproofing and re-surfacing.
The works will see the bridge close on October 16 for approximately 20 weeks for the project to be carried out.
Speaking before the decision, Cookham Parish councillor Bill Perry said:
“This will cause considerable traffic disruption into the village and therefore to the businesses of the village – particularly the entertainment and hospitality sector over Christmas, which is their biggest period for income.
“We would ask you to either prescribe by condition, or request the applicant, to make suitable alternative transport arrangements however it can.”
RBWM transport lead councillor Geoff Hill said:
“It’s six months of pain for twenty, thirty, forty years of easy operation.”
The question of the colour of the bridge was also raised, with the officers’ report recommending a colour analysis to establish the original colour shades. The bridge is currently painted with a blue finish.
In their report, council officers issued recommendations that the listed building consent be approved with conditions, paving the way for the works to go ahead.
The report reads: “The proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the designated heritage asset. The harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset is outweighed by the public benefit identified, namely the long-term preservation of the structure, and therefore the recommendation is that listed building consent is granted.”
Members of the community who wish to find out more about the project can attend drop-in events next month.
These will be on Monday 4 September from 4pm to 7pm at the Parish Centre, Holy Trinity Church, Churchgate, Cookham and on Tuesday 5 September from 4pm to 7pm at Bourne End Community Centre.