Zouch Bridge was built in 1930 and forms part of the A6006, a key route linking transport and trade corridors across the region, including connections to the strategic road network, East Midlands Freeport and East Midlands Airport.
The bridge crosses the River Soar between Hathern in Charnwood and Zouch in Rushcliffe, linking Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, with Loughborough around four miles to the south.
The condition of the bridge has gradually deteriorated over time. To allow it to remain open to as many vehicles as possible, an 18-tonne weight limit was introduced in 2023. It is proposed that this restriction will be lifted once the new bridge is completed.
The council is responsible for maintaining around 300 bridges across the area, but none are currently expected to require work on the same scale as Zouch Bridge in the near future.
Construction work formally began with a turf-cutting ceremony in late July 2024.
A full road closure will be required on Zouch Road in Hathern and Main Street in Zouch, between the junctions with Derby Road in Hathern and Upper and Lower Holme on Main Street, Zouch, from 2 March 2026 for up to 18 weeks. Access will be maintained to properties within the closure area, but due to the nature of the works there will be no vehicle access across the bridge during this period.
The closure will run at the same time as Network Rail’s planned closure on Rempstone Road between Sutton Bonington and minimise overall disruption.
The main diversion route will follow the existing diversion already in place for the Rempstone Road closure, using the A6, A453, A52 and A60, and vice versa.
An additional local diversion route will be provided through Sutton Bonington and Kegworth, with signed routes marked using a square symbol.
Because of the bridge construction and associated utility works on the east side of the structure, there will be no access across the bridge for pedestrians, equestrians or other non-motorised users from 2 March 2026 for up to eight weeks. Sutton Bonington Bridleway No.5, at Main Street in Zouch, will also be closed for the same period. A safe pedestrian route will be reinstated as soon as it is possible to do so.
Local bus operators and transport services have been notified of the closure and diversion arrangements. Further information will be provided by bus companies and published on the council’s website in due course.
The map below shows the signed diversion routes.
