SOLIHULL Council is warning motorists to expect delays as it carries out repairs to the canal bridge on Lode Lane – with work starting on Monday (July 11).
During recent waterproofing of the canal bridge, located between the junctions of Dovehouse Lane and Henley Crescent, a number of structural defects were discovered.
Repair work will last an estimated eight weeks.
At all times there will be one lane closed on the bridge with the other lane open.
Traffic flow will be controlled by temporary traffic lights in operation 24/7.
It is expected that this will lead to long delays on Lode Lane, potentially as high as 20 to 30 minutes, in both directions particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
The Council apologises for the inconvenience these necessary and unavoidable works will cause and encourages motorists to use alternative routes and to leave additional time to complete their journeys.
To ensure as little disruption as possible is caused by these works, they have been scheduled to take place predominantly during the school summer holidays and during Jaguar Land Rover’s shut down period.
The bridge does not pose an immediate danger to the public but it is necessary for the work to be completed as soon as possible. The work involves strengthening of the bridge from above as well as repair of a bridge beam from below.
Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “I’m asking motorists and bus users to bear with us while these necessary and unavoidable repairs are carried out. It’s better that they are carried out now, as quickly as possible during the summer period, to avoid further inconvenience by returning at a future date.”
“If you can avoid using Lode Lane for those eight weeks I would recommend it. If you can’t, please factor in the time that the works will add to your journey.”
