Highways Agency

The Project

The Highways Agency will be carrying out bridge replacement works on the A404(M) Western Region Railway Bridge, between early 2009 and late 2010.
 
The bridge that carries the A404(M) over the Western Region railway line near Maidenhead, is in a deteriorating condition and requires complete replacement.

The scheme is currently in a preliminary programming and pricing stage, with the final proposal to be designed by a partnership between an experienced consultant and contractor. They will be chosen by a bidding system based on the best scheme which balances cost, speed of construction and minimum disruption to the public.

The present preliminary scheme involves demolishing and re-building the bridge in three stages. This method will allow two lanes of traffic to be maintained in each direction on the motorway so that delays to road users will be minimal.

The preliminary scheme design requires the clearance of vegetation in order to provide access to the bridge. When the works are finished, these areas will be replanted with trees and shrubs to maintain the character of the existing landscape.

With this preliminary scheme, a small area of existing verge to the south of the bridge is used to provide the road widening for the traffic management. There will be some permanent loss of trees where there is insufficient width to plant, but every effort will be made to replant in a sympathetic manner. 

The majority of the works will be undertaken during daytime hours. However, some works will be carried during night time hours when the railway can be closed down to allow access. Every effort will be taken to mitigate any noise as far as is practical.

For the long term, the existing 2m high acoustic barriers will be replaced with 3m high barriers.

Public Forums

The Highways Agency is in the process of informing local residents and the wider community about the project, and invite all interested parties to attend the Public Forums at:

The Holiday Inn, Manor Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 2RA

• Friday 7th September, from 1pm - 7pm
• Saturday 8th September, from 9am - 1pm

Highways Agency representatives and engineers will be on hand to answer any queries and explain the details of the project.

We hope that you are able to attend the Public Forums.  Should you require any further details, please contact our Customer Services Team on 08457 50 40 30.