MAJOR roadworks are due to get underway to replace a dangerous bridge in Frampton Cotterell.

Church Road, the main artery route through the village, is set to be closed for up to three weeks from Monday, April 7 while preliminary works are carried out on Church Bridge.

The road will then reopen only to be closed again for a further six weeks from July 28 whilst the bridge is demolished and rebuilt.

A temporary pedestrian footbridge is currently under construction, further down Church Road than the road bridge.

Traffic delays are expected in the area and local residents have been warned of the road closures by South Gloucestershire Council, which is carrying out the works.

The council said: “The work is being carried out because our routine inspections show that the bridge concrete has deteriorated to the point where it can’t carry the loads we need it to, so a full replacement is required.

“The bulk of the work is being carried out during the school summer holidays to minimise traffic disruption and there will be a temporary pedestrian bridge to allow local people to cross the river while it’s taking place.

“Diversions will be in place during this time.”

The diversion route will take motorists north along Bristol Road to Iron Acton, along Yate Road and Stover Road and onto Badminton Road to Coalpit Heath and the other end of Church Road.

Cllr Dave Hockey (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell) said the closure would mean longer journeys for drivers but the work was essential.

“The diversion is quite a long way round and people are not going to be thrilled about but there is no choice,” he told the Gazette. “The bridge is falling into the river and the idea that buses carrying schoolchildren could fall into the river doesn’t bear thinking about.

“There is a 13-tonne weight limit on the bridge but before that was imposed we had double decker buses and heavily-loaded vans using it.

“The situation has been going on for about three years and this work has got to happen.”

Utility pipes and cables are being relaid ahead of the works so services will not be affected. Business Tax relief is available to firms on Church Road. Visit www.southglos.gov.uk for more information.