THE A5 in Oswestry is to close overnight next week while a new footbridge is lowered into place by one of the largest cranes in the country.

The next stage of work to install a 55-metre bridge over the A5 at Mile End will be carried out next week when the bridge is lowered into place on the night of Monday November 27 to Tuesday, November 28.

During the installation the A5 will be closed from 8pm on Monday through to 6am on Tuesday.

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The closure will be from the Whittington Road Roundabout to the Mile End Roundabout, and a signed diversion will be in place throughout the closure period.

Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said: “We’re excited to announce that the bridge to the Innovation Park will be lifted into place next week, signalling another major step forward for the park.

“Although the bridge won’t be in use straight away, we will be working hard to ensure that people will soon be able to use it to access the park and make the most of the countryside walks in the area.

“Alongside the bridge, work on the proposed innovation park is also progressing.

“Designs for the spine roads, connectivity and utilities are completed, and has enabled us to prepare an infrastructure procurement package for the whole site."

The lifting operation on the night of November 27 will be dependent on weather conditions – wind speeds will be crucial to the success of the lift and if too high, the operation will be postponed.

However, a number of additional road closure dates for the A5 have been set aside should the need arise so that one of the largest cranes in the country can lift the structure in to place.

The bridge has been designed to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians, allowing easy and safe access to the new Oswestry Innovation Park.

Once the bridge is installed the on-site activities will continue with, for example, the installation of around 200 metres of ramps, drainage and landscaping, which will see the completion of the works by spring 2024.

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In addition to the bridge installation, preparations for the proposed Innovation Park are progressing including designs for the procurement package for all roads, connectivity, and incoming utilities to start on site from spring 2024.

The planned infrastructure works will bring forward serviced employment land plots from early 2025, which will enable the disposal of the whole site rather than the previously planned phased approach.

The demand and interest for plots and enquiries are being logged, and plots will all be offered on the open market once the infrastructure contracts have been placed.