The first phase of work to the road network in Belton and Manthorpe is continuing at pace

With three separate phases planned for the area it’s vital that the initial round of works at Belton Bridge are on-track so it’s significant that the re-waterproofing of the bridge is now reaching the first big milestone. 

Work on the structure to remove the existing waterproofing layer on the first half of the bridge deck has now been completed. Weather permitting, the new waterproof layer will be applied tomorrow (Friday). 

The road over that side of the bridge will then be reconstructed next week. Once this is completed, traffic access will be swapped over to the other side of the bridge for the remaining essential re-waterproofing and reconstruction to be completed as soon as possible. Traffic access will remain for those wanting to cross the bridge.

Because of the linear nature of the works, and the dedicated time needed for materials used to cure in preparation for the wear and tear placed on them by traffic, there will be short periods of time where little appears to be happening on the bridge. This is part of the normal engineering process and is not a delay in the programme of works as planned.

The planned bridge works are due to be completed by early September. Once this has happened, the overall programme for the area will switch to phases two and three. This will see the road reconstruction happening from Monday September 19 and continue until mid-November.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “This is good news that the first part of these very precise works are reaching the first milestone. 

“As our team continue to address and repair the bridge works, I would like to thank everyone for their continuing patience. 

“What we are doing here is a large-scale rebuild that will mean better roads and a longer-life for the bridge. We appreciate that there will be some inevitable disruption for road users in the area and we are trying to minimise that as much as we possibly can.

“These works are complex and difficult but by using the correct planning and execution of our engineer’s expertise we can carry out all three phases of what need to happen in the shortest amount of time.

“As well as re-waterproofing and surfacing Belton Bridge, we will be excavating nearly a mile of current carriageway and rebuilding it using nearly 10,000 tonnes of tarmac and other road-building materials.

“The A607 through Belton and Manthorpe is starting to deteriorate and what we are doing is a huge positive for the area.”

Below are details of the three phases of work (all dates subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances):

Phase 1 – Re-waterproofing Belton Bridge

•      Ongoing until early September

•      24/7 temporary traffic signals at both ends of Belton Bridge

Phase 2 – A607 in Belton

•      Monday 19 September for up to five weeks, weekday evenings only

•      Night-time road closure of A607 through Belton, between the two entrances to Belton village, from 7pm to 6am

•      Diversion route via A607 / A52 / A15 / A153, and vice versa

Phase 3 – A607 in Manthorpe

•      Monday 10 October for up to three weeks, weekday evenings only

•      Night-time road closure of A607 through Manthorpe, between the old rectory and the southern entrance of Low Road, from 7pm to 6am

•      Diversion route via A607 / A52 / A15 / A153, and vice versa

For up-to-date information about this and other roadworks, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks.