1. This report seeks agreement in principle for a strengthening scheme on a cost-sharing basis to bring this strategically important bridge up to current standards.

Background

2. Milton (Potash Lane) Railway Bridge is owned by Railtrack and was constructed in 1906. It now carries northbound traffic from A34, Milton Heights Interchange to Milton and the Business Park near Didcot and is one of a pair of bridges providing access to the Business Park.

3. A strength assessment by the County Council and Railtrack has shown that the bridge has insufficient load carrying capacity to meet highway and Railtrack standards.

4. As the bridge provides a vital link between the A34 and the Business Park and carries a relatively high percentage of HGV’s it is essential that any strengthening or replacement is adequate for 40 tonne lorries, the national highway standard.

5. Nationally agreed guidelines say that Railtrack have to provide a bridge capable of carrying 24 tons but this is based on an old, no longer current, assessment code and does not translate directly to current capacities. As a result a permanent weight restriction would need to be imposed of, at best, 17 tonnes or possibly as low as 7.5 tonnes GVW. A weight restriction as low as this would not only hamper access for heavier vehicles but would prevent some buses from using the route. A further problem is the stability of the embankment supporting the road off the bridge on the north side.

6. Because the bridge fails to meet both Railtrack and national highway load carrying capacity a cost sharing option needs to be found to fund any strengthening or replacement.

7. A feasibility study has looked at the options of reconstructing the existing bridge (on-line) or building a new bridge alongside Lansdown Bridge (off-line). Lansdown Bridge currently takes the traffic out of the Business Park and is the other one of the pair.

8. Cost sharing will follow the principles set out in nationally agreed guidelines, however, should an off-line solution be found to be the most favourable, the owner of Milton Business Park, MEPC, has indicated that they are prepared to make a significant contribution.

12. The access to Milton Business Park from the A34 interchange is poor in terms of road layout and traffic capacity. Problems have been identified with embankment stability and now the old metal railway bridge has inadequate capacity for modern day traffic. Traffic cones currently line each side of the road as an interim measure to keep heavier vehicles away from the weak edge girders rather than impose a weight restriction.

13. The owners of the Park, MEPC, consider any weight restriction would have a severe effect on the viability of the Park and are keen to work with the County Council to find a solution, preferably off-line. Milton have also indicated that they favour an off-line solution. (Comments from Didcot Town Council are awaited).

14. It would be possible, at no cost to the County Council (Option 1), to strengthen this bridge. However, that would still result in a weight restriction. If the Park is to continue to provide good employment for the area and attract more business then it is essential the railway crossing is brought up to modern standards.

15. Options 2 and 3 only provide for a strengthened bridge on a like for like basis and do nothing to improve the current road layout or address the embankment stability problems. These options would also be the most disruptive to both road and rail users with little long-term benefit.

16. The advantages of an off-line solution are that it would be less disruptive to construct, would address the long term embankment stability problem and improve the road layout. The off-line solution would provide a pelican crossing and verges wide enough to take pedestrians and cyclists. With the MEPC contribution it is not expected to cost the County Council significantly more than the on-line options.

Conclusion

Environmental Implications

18. By providing access for 40 tonne lorries at this strategic crossing unnecessary diversions will be avoided using less suitable roads.

19. The County Councils share in funding this scheme will come from the LTP settlement for bridge strengthening. There is no requirement for additional staff.