A438 Lugg Flats remains closed as works by Western Power Distribution overrun

Western Power Distribution has committed to ensuring completion of the bridge repair works as quickly as possible.

Herefordshire Council says it's disappointed that the A438 across the Lugg flats and River Lugg bridge remains closed due to works not being completed by contractors working for Western Power Distribution (WPD).

WPD initially committed to completing the bridge repair works by Friday 25 August 2017. 

An extension until 30 August was agreed between Herefordshire Council and WPDto allow works to be completed before the start of the new school term.

Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP), who have been monitoring the work on behalf of the council, undertook inspections today and over the weekend which concluded that the road is not yet safe to reopen to traffic. This is due to the fact that WPD's contractors have not yet completed all the required works and the site is not in a state that it can be safely reopened.

A council spokesman said: "This is of great concern given the level of inconvenience to the travelling public and the imminent start of the school year.  As such Herefordshire Council will be applying overrun charges to WPD for each day from the 30 August that the works remain incomplete."

There are 14 bridges along the affected section of road. The site has been regularly inspected during the works, over the last weekend and on Monday 4 September. Following the latest technical inspection, BBLP on behalf of the council found:

• Seven bridges had not yet been concreted
• Structural repair of one bridge was incomplete
• 120m of open trench not yet concreted

Alongside applying financial penalties, Herefordshire Council and BBLP are working with WPD and their contractor to ensure that the works are completed as quickly as possible and to a standard which will allow the road to be safely reopened.

UPDATE: Western Power Distribution (WPD) says it's committed to re-opening the A438 on Monday 11 September.
 
To ensure this date is met the company is deploying extra resources to the site, between the bridge over the River Lugg to the west of Lugwardine and Netherwood Lane.
 
WPD Team Manager Jane Rawlings said: “We are sorry for the over-running of the roadworks and are doing everything we can to ensure the road opens as quickly as possible.”