Halesowen town centre bridge to undergo £300k scheme (From Halesowen News)

Halesowen town centre bridge to undergo £300k scheme

4:43pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

A BRIDGE in Halesowen town centre which acts as a tunnel for the River Stour is set to undergo a six month £300k programme of improvement works.

Work on Rumbow bridge, which tunnels the river under Rumbow and Church Lane, will start in March and continue till the end of August.

The scheme, which is being carried out by Dudley Council, will see the road surface removed and the bridge deck replaced before a new road surface is laid.

Cabinet member for transport councillor Judy Foster, said: “Rumbow bridge has been inspected and monitored regularly to ensure the roadway it carries has been kept open and available for local businesses and its vehicles.

“Following assessments work will be carried out on Rumbow Bridge to bring the bridge up to the required 40 tonne carrying capacity.”

The bridge suffered a partial collapse in late 40s and was re-built in 1949 by Worcestershire County Council.

At the time, Rumbow was classified as the A456, as the new road network had yet to be built.

Throughout the £300k works, access for businesses will be maintained and access to frontages will be maintained where safe.

Rumbow will be closed 100m each side of (and including) the junction of Church Lane, from March 4 until August 31.

Temporary access to Church Lane will be created, all other traffic will have to u-turn at the top of Birmingham Street (junction with Birmingham Rd) and exit via Birmingham Street and Pool Road.