Highways Agency

The Project

The viaduct forms part of a series of elevated motorway sections known as the "Midland Links". At this section it crosses above the Local Authority road (A4031). All roads and bridges, including the "Midland Links" , are regularly maintained to ensure their ongoing viability and safety.

Work to repair this viaduct started in mid July and will provide protection to fifteen concrete supporting crossbeams which take the weight of the M6 above. It is estimated that this work will take approximately 96 weeks to complete.

The Works

This work will include steel supports being erected around the existing columns and underneath the damaged concrete supporting crossbeams to replace the function of these beams and to enable the work to be undertaken safely. The concrete crossbeams will be repaired section by section.

Cathodic protection, which is a process of introducing a low voltage electrical current to the whole beam through a specialised paint which inhibits the corrosion of the steelwork inside, will be introduced to the newly repaired crossbeams.

Traffic Management

Beneath the motorway one northbound lane of the A4031 and it's adjacent footpath will be closed for the duration of the works to ensure safety for the workforce, travelling public and pedrestrians. The lane closure is necessary to protect the steel columns supporting the M6, which are close to the road and therefore cannot be removed until the work is finally completed.

An alternative footpath will be provided for the safety of pedestrians and there will be lighting and CCTV on the new pathway.

Working hours will be Monday - Friday 0800 - 1800, Saturday 0800 - 1300. It may be necessary on rare occasions to work outside these hours but every effort will be made to keep these to a minimum. On occasion there may be noise generated by the work but this will also be kept to a minimum. Works vehicles will be entering the site compound via both the A4031 and the station access road.