Bridge opening to cut congestion in Nuneaton

Finer details are being drawn up



Plans to open up a bridge to motorists to get on and off the A444 have taken a step closer.

It is hoped a contractor could now be in place to carry out the works in Nuneaton by autumn.

Finer details on the plans to open-up the Bermuda bridge to traffic are being put into place in preparation for the contract to be tendered, with the works due to start in 2020.

The scheme, which is part of wider Bermuda Connectivity project, has not been without controversy in the local community.

County and borough ward councillor Clare Golby was opposed to the bridge being opened up to traffic and the implications that would have in the area.

But she says she has championed improvements to reduce the impact on those who live in the Bermuda area.

These include:

* An elongated and unrestricted parking bay on Bermuda Road which could hold up to 14-16 vehicles.

* Vehicle Activated Warning Sign, such as 'slow down' signs, on both Bermuda Road and St Georges Way.

* A change to the proposed complete parking ban using double yellow lines Bermuda Road. The new proposal will be no parking during the day with the parking restrictions being relaxed at evenings and no restrictions at all at weekends.

"Although I’m disappointed that the Bermuda Bridge project was voted through I said at the time that I would work with officers to minimise the impacts of the scheme people and I’ve been doing just that," Cllr Golby said.

She added fears the bridge will become a rat-run could be alleviated in the proposed Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's Borough Plan.

The Borough Plan is a blueprint for all future development and also includes new infrastructure, such as proposals for a road from Heath End Road that links directly to the A444.

“For years now, I’ve argued that there should be purpose-built road in our area which directly links us to the A444 and I’ve constantly been told it would never happen," Cllr Golby said.

"I was the only Arbury councillor who attended the government inspectors plan examination meetings where I argued the view directly with the government inspector that we should have much better major infrastructure in the area to not only support any potential building but the existing residents too.

“Thankfully the government inspector agreed that if this plan were to go ahead there must be the inclusion of a road through the site, from Heath End Road that links directly to the A444. He included this as a Major Modification to the overall plan.

"This means, once this road is constructed, Walsingham Drive should not be used as the route of choice for people cutting through the new development and there will be an alternative to the Bermuda Bridge which is a direct route out to the A444.”

Full public cost of Nuneaton's Bermuda bridge works will not be revealed until AFTER they have finished



The full public cost of the works to open up Nuneaton's Bermuda bridge to traffic will not be revealed until AFTER they have finished. That is the result of CoventryLive's latest attempt to find out just how much money has been spent so far and how much will be spent in total on the project.

As we reported in our newsletter, a financial update on the project was heard in private by Warwickshire County Council cabinet members but, even after the meeting, no details of the decision were made public.

It is widely known that the project to open up the bridge to traffic is well over-budget, having initially started at £3 million and this has more than doubled. Last September, it was revealed that the cost had risen by another half a million, taking it over the £10m mark.

But when we asked for the latest costs as well as the projected costs for the whole project, we were told that this information was exempt.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said that the finances were 'commercially sensitive' and the full details would not be revealed until after the project had finished.

"These works are ongoing with a contractor on site, and we cannot discuss financial implications at this point," a statement read.

What is known is that attempts are being made to claw-back some of the time on the project, which has been hit by delays since the start. They were due to get underway in November 2021, but were cancelled at the last minute and rescheduled for the start of January last year, only for them to be delayed until the end of that month.

"The hydro-demolition works to demolish the existing bridge edge beam has been completed allowing work to complete the new edge beams by early March." the county council statement said.

"Footway and carriageway works on the Bridleway have progressed and the Bridleway is currently open to traffic in both directions until work commences on the northern side of the road.

"Work has continued on the approaches to the bridge and we expect that, subject to progress on site and weather, it will be open in late spring/early summer which will improve access for the residents of the Bermuda area to the A444 prior to the wider scheme being completed later this year.

"Work continues with the contractor to look at ways to shorten the programme and finish the scheme as soon as possible."

This seems rather about-faced to me. Surely, those paying have a right to know what it will cost before it goes ahead? - Something smells a bit, here.

Council won't reveal Bermuda project costs as bridge finally reopens to traffic



County council bosses have declined to give the final costs of the Bermuda Bridge project in Nuneaton. After more than two years, following delays and rising costs, the bridge is now open to traffic.

Shire Hall had always stood firm on the stance that the public will not find out the true costs until after it has finished. Initially the cost was around the £3m mark but the last publicly available data showed that the cost had topped £14.941m so far.

Now that the bridge has opened, CoventryLive asked the county council for the final costs. But a spokesperson for the local authority said that the amount will not be available until the Autumn.

"We are currently in the process of agreeing the final account with the contractor now works have been completed," the spokesperson said. "Upon conclusion of this process the final construction cost will be published.

"We expect this to be in the Autumn."

As tax payers' cash has been spent on this, CoventryLive has now put in a Freedom of Information Act request to get the figures before Autumn.

In the meantime, the council is still insistent that the bridge will be used and have an impact on the traffic that often builds on the A444. However, it is apparent that the opening of the bridge has not been something that the county council has wanted to fanfare.

But, in a statement, a spokesperson said: "Warwickshire County Council is pleased to announce that the Bermuda Connectivity bridge and road improvement project has now fully opened to all road users.

"The scheme will now benefit the local community by reducing journey times on a number of routes, reducing town centre congestion, and giving a boost to local businesses by supporting economic growth and improving accessibility to existing and future local jobs, amenities, and residential areas, particularly in Bermuda and the adjoining areas.

"Thanks to all local residents and businesses close to the scheme for their patience and understanding whilst this technically challenging project has been completed. We expect the benefits of the new route to be felt in Nuneaton for many years to come.”

It stinks.

Never mind an FOI request (PMSL), it's about time an investigative journalist got the bit between their teeth and exposed the council if they've done anything wrong.