Overnight closures announced for Mill Road bridge for bus gate works
Mill Road bridge will be closed during the evening and overnight every day from Monday 11 November until 25 November as work begins install the bus gate.
The work will involve resurfacing, installing signage, cameras, lining and road markings to warn drivers of the restrictions. New traffic islands will also be added either side of the bridge.
Work that is scheduled to take place during the day will be managed by traffic lights.
Councillors voted to approve a bus gate for Mill Road bridge following a meeting of the highways and transport committee on October 4.
The decision means the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicles, except buses, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and blue badge holders’ registered vehicles. Unauthorised vehicles crossing the bridge will be fined.
Although no date has yet been set for Penalty Charge Notices being sent out, a statement from Cambridgeshire County Council said: “The restriction is expected to come into force following the Mill Road Winter Fair.
“Longer term public realm improvements are anticipated for Mill Road, subject to funding and further local engagement.”
Warning signs alerting bridge users to the works will be in place from Monday (28 October). Letters are being distributed to households in the area and information on the works will also be available via Cambridgeshire County Council’s website at: cambridgeshire.gov.uk/mill-road-bridge-tro.
Most of the work will take place overnight from 7pm until 6am for the duration. A road closure will be in place during those nights.
The following roads will also be partly resurfaced as part of the works overnight on Wednesday, 13 November through to Friday, 15 November – Kingston Street, Headly Street, Great Eastern Street, Argyle Street and Devonshire Road.
During the closure, access will remain for emergency services and buses, except for buses on Wednesday, 13 November through to Friday, 15 November (buses will be allowed through until 9pm). Pedestrians and cyclist access will also remain throughout, although cyclists will be asked to dismount and use the pavement at times. A diversion will be in place for all other traffic. Vehicle access to properties will be maintained for residents throughout the works.
There may be a need for some works in the week during the day (9.30am to 3.30pm), but this will take place with the assistance of temporary traffic lights. To get the work completed, there may also be a need to work in the day and overnight at the weekend, during the day the road would be open with temporary traffic lights but closed overnight.
The restriction over the bridge will be implemented as a bus gate and blue badge holders will need to register up to two vehicles for exemption via an application form online, which is available on the council’s website.
Blue badge holders will be required to provide a copy of their valid blue badge paperwork. Officers will also be engaging directly with local care providers.
The bus gate will be enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR). Once installed, there will be a 28-day period where non-exempt vehicles will receive warning notices only and if they are exempt, would be encouraged to register online. Fines are expected to come into effect from early 2025.
