Drivers are being warned of potential disruption from a road closure connected to a huge Rushcliffe bridge development.
The major £19.5 million project focuses on the 90-year-old Zouch Bridge, which crosses the River Soar at Zouch.
Permission to replace the bridge was approved in 2018, with work to prepare its replacement beginning in July 2024.
Now, road closures are set to be put in place from Monday, March 2, for up to 18 weeks.
The road closure is on Zouch Road, Hathern, and Main Street, Zouch, between the junctions with Derby Road, Hathern, and Upper and Lower Holme, Main Street, Zouch.
Leicestershire County Council said people will be able to access premises within the closure boundary.
The authority added that, due to the nature of the work being undertaken, there will be no access for any vehicles across the bridge.
The proposed diversion route will be the same as the current one for the Network Rail road closure on Rempstone Road, Sutton Bonington, and will be via: A6, A453, A52, A60, and vice versa. The diversion route totals approximately 18 miles.
In addition to the road closure, the authority has advised that, due to the nature of the bridge works and utility works being carried out on the east side of the bridge, there will also be no access across the bridge for pedestrians, equestrians, and non-motorised traffic from Monday, March 2, for up to 8 weeks.
Leicestershire County Council said that a safe route for pedestrians will be put in place as soon as it is safe to do so.
The council has advised that bus companies and transport services are aware of the closure and diversion route.
The bridge project is being funded by Leicestershire County Council and carried out by construction contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering. Once complete, the A6006 will be rerouted over the new bridge.
Leicestershire County Council said: “We appreciate that any long-term closure is challenging for local communities and road users, and we are working closely with partners to complete the works as safely and efficiently as possible.”
• Rushcliffe: Zouch Bridge to close for up to 18 weeks as major replacement works begin
Work on the Zouch Bridge scheme is “scheduled to be completed by early 2027”, according to the county council. More information on the project can be found online.
