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Sutton Bridge Cross Keys Swing Bridge work to start this month




An 18-week job to paint and repair Cross Keys Swing Bridge begins at the end of the month - with details emerging of the £1.5 million project.

Contractors will start painting the Sutton Bridge structure on February 28 - with the work expected to take until July 1 and some disruption likely at times throughout that period.

Most of the works at road level will require temporary traffic lights, with an ‘advisory diversion route’ in place.

The Cross Keys Bridge (49013289)
The Cross Keys Bridge (49013289)

There will also be some overnight road closures, with details yet to be announced.

The 1897 bridge crosses the River Nene as part of the A17 - and is a key route for holidaymakers as well as locals.

As a result, the road will be fully open for public holidays - with any traffic management measures removed.

Throughout the work, the bridge will have to stay in use for boats accessing the Port of Wisbech.

The county council has held talks with neighbouring authorities to try to time the job to avoid other roadworks - with the next nearest crossing in Wisbech and a long diversion for those wanting to avoid Cross Keys Swing Bridge.

Bosses have also promised to try to minimise disruption by managing traffic flows better than during previous works.

Sutton Bridge district councillor Michael Booth says its important that emergency services can avoid being stuck in traffic.

He said: “The one thing I am concerned about is our blue light services.

“If emergency services want to get somewhere you would have to let them through.

“It doesn’t take much of a hiccup to make a very long queue.

“Sutton Bridge is a vital part of this area and the majority of people going to hospital from here go to King’s Lynn.”

Coun Booth supported doing work at this time of year - with the summer holiday period expected to be especially busy if there are no lockdown measures.

He added: “I know the work has got to be done - I would sooner they got doing it this month than June or July.”

As well as paintwork, maintenance is due to be carried out the ‘turret’.



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