Work to install a new footbridge in Burston could begin in July after Staffordshire County Council amended its construction plans following weather related delays.
The bridge, for Sandon and Burston Public Footpath 36, has been built offsite and is ready to be installed. Wildlife surveys and other preparatory work have also been completed.
The county council said the installation is expected to take around six weeks, subject to weather and ground conditions.
The authority had hoped work would begin in June, but heavy rain at the end of May and beginning of June left the ground too soft and unstable for the specialist machinery needed to access the site safely.
Engineers say dry and stable ground conditions are needed because the bridge sections, materials and lifting equipment are extremely heavy. If the ground is waterlogged, machinery can become unstable, damage surrounding land and increase risks to workers and the environment.
The construction plan has now been changed to help reduce the risk of further weather related disruption.
Instead of using a temporary structure to support the bridge during construction, a crane will now be used to lift it into position. The council said this should reduce vehicle movements on site, minimise disruption to the surrounding area and reduce long term flood risk.
Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said
“I want to thank local residents for their incredible patience throughout this project. We had hoped to start construction in June, but safety must come first and the ground conditions simply weren’t suitable for the heavy machinery needed to install the bridge.
“I’m pleased that good progress continues to be made behind the scenes. Our engineers have completed a significant amount of preparation and have now made changes to the works approach so that it is more resilient to changing weather conditions.
“Our priority is to make sure the bridge is installed safely and built to last, and we remain committed to reopening this important route as soon as possible.”
The footpath will reopen once the bridge has been safely installed. A further update is expected in two weeks.
