Tadpole Lane to reopen at 5pm today (From Swindon Advertiser)

Tadpole Lane to reopen today following an eight month closure

1:06pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Web Team

AFTER nearly nine months, Tadpole Lane will reopen to traffic at 5pm today.

The road has been closed since May 14, with traffic diverted via The Pry, Purton Road, Thamesdown Drive and Oakhurst Way.

The bridge taking the road over the River Ray has been completely replaced and widened to two lanes, while the bridge over the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, which is a 130 year-old Grade II listed structure, has been extensively repaired.

Although both bridges are now able to take heavier vehicles than before, the 18-tonne weight restriction on Tadpole Lane will remain in place for environmental reasons.

The rail bridge is the responsibility of Swindon Council, while the river bridge is the joint responsibility of both the council and Wiltshire Council.

Both local authorities arranged for the work, which has been carried out by Swindon Council, to take place at the same time to minimise the length and scale of the disruption and reduce the cost.

The scheme is estimated to have cost approximately £1m.