WORK is on schedule to get Church Road in Frampton Cotterell back to normal by the end of November after a major scheme to replace the bridge crossing the River Frome.

Three-way traffic lights have been in operation since the high-tech replacement bridge was put into position in the summer, causing some delays for drivers.

Road users had endured two periods of complete closure of the affected section of road - one of a couple of weeks over Easter and the other for six weeks during the school summer break - to allow contractors to get on with the job at the quietest times. It meant motorists needing to get from one side of the bridge to the other had to go on a long diversion through Yate and Iron Acton.

But although the six-week closure came to an end on schedule, the temporary road signals had to be installed to allow other work to be completed.

That included re-installing utilities and final road surfacing, as well as the rebuilding of the bridge's original masonry parapets.

South Gloucestershire Council said the works were on track to be completed in a matter of weeks.

The old bridge had to be replaced because an increasing amount of traffic had taken its toll on the structure.

It has been replaced with one manufactured from advanced composite materials similar to those used in the aircraft construction industry, making it stronger and more resistant to corrosion.

The deck was assembled at the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green and transported by lorry to Frampton Cotterell ready for installation.