Cookham Bridge re-opening date revealed following months of maintenance works

Cookham Bridge will re-open to drivers next weekend following months of essential maintenance work.

Having been closed since October last year, the bridge will re-open to vehicles on Saturday, March 16.

Works on the bridge have included bearing replacement, resurfacing, joint replacement and re-waterproofing.

Final works under the bridge will continue to take place until next month to finish the project.

A new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera has also been installed on the bridge to combat drivers breaching the 7.5 tonne weight limit.

ANPR cameras have been installed at a number of sites around the Royal Borough.

For the first six months, motorists who break the rules will be sent a warning letter for a first-time infringement of their vehicle.

Another breach during this period will lead to a penalty charge notice being issued.

Following the first six months, warning letters will end, and all breaches will result in a penalty charge notice.

The fines will be re-invested to maintain the cameras and make the roads more efficient and safer.

Councillor Geoff Hill, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m pleased to see this project largely completed, which will future- proof Cookham Bridge for years to come, and the bridge set to reopen to traffic.

“By making this investment now, we have ensured that the bridge is fit for purpose for everyone to use for decades to come and have avoided more disruptive work in future years.

“This project has extended the life of the bridge, maintaining a key route and connection for residents, businesses, as well as visitors to our borough.

“While I understand that this project has brought some temporary disruption for road users, residents and businesses in the area, we have strived to keep this to a minimum and kept the community updated both in advance of, and during, the work.”

He added: “I’d particularly like to thank the community and businesses in Cookham for their patience and understanding while this work has been ongoing. I’d also like to thank our officers for their work and our highways contractor, VolkerHighways, for undertaking this work as swiftly as practically possible.

“This was a complex project involving detailed technical work on a listed structure, which had to be undertaken in phases.

“In January, the village was affected by significant flooding, and, alongside our emergency response, we continued to prioritise these essential maintenance works as we knew this was important to the community.

“My thanks also to People to Places, who provided alternative door-to-door, dial-a-ride services for those with reduced mobility or a disability in the area.”