ESSENTIAL road works on the Bromley Heath Viaduct will be reduced from 52 weeks to 33 weeks, South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) have announced.

The time has been shortened thanks to a £2.8million investment from the Local Enterprise Partnership Economic Development Fund (EDF), which was agreed by the West of England Joint Committee this week. 

The funding means that repairs to the road will now be carried out over dual weekday shifts, with some weekend work “as and when required”.

Residents living nearby had been worried that the maintenance works would create “commuter chaos” on the roads.

But members of SGC hope that the shorter timescale will help reduce the impact on local communities.

Cllr Colin Hunt, Cabinet Member responsible for transport, said: “Reducing the length of the work will help to alleviate congestion and the impact of diversions on local communities, commuters and people travelling through the area.

“We know the scheme will cause significant disruption for people but we are trying everything we can to mitigate this.” 

He added: “We are listening to people and where possible, we have been able to adjust our plans based on residents’ feedback.” 

The work on the viaduct, which spans a section of the A4174 ring road, was approved by South Gloucestershire councillors earlier this year. 

It is hoped that the repairs to the 1960s structure will see safety, pedestrian and cycling provision “enhanced”.

Traffic management arrangements will be put in place over the weekend of Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 23 July, while the actual maintenance work will start on Monday, July 24.

Further updates will be announced nearer the start of the work.