M3 Bagshot footbridge replacement works delayed

Planned work to replace a footbridge over the M3 has been postponed.

National Highways closed the pedestrian bridge over the M3 between Bagshot and Lightwater Country Park in 2023 due to the risk of tall vehicles hitting it.

It was demolished in December that year, with work to replace it due to take place between 25 and 28 April.

But National Highways said the project has now been postponed due to a problem with the concrete being used, with the bridge unlikely to reopen in May as originally planned.

The work would have meant the M3 being closed between junctions 3 and 4, but the motorway will now be open as normal for the weekend.

In a statement National Highways said: "We fully appreciate and acknowledge how disappointed people were that we had to postpone installing the Bagshot Heath footbridge.

"Unfortunately our latest assessment showed that the concrete in one of the bridge abutments had not hardened as expected.

"We are urgently working with our contractor to understand why this happened, and are carrying out further tests to see how we can fix the situation as quickly as possible.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and thank the local community for their patience and understanding."

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