Diversions and road closures planned as £3.7m upgrade begins on railway bridge over major Wakefield road

Lane closures, delays and diversions have been planned as work begins on a major reconstruction project on a busy Wakefield road.
By Holly Gittins
Published 30th Nov 2020, 13:01 GMT
Updated 30th Nov 2020, 13:04 GMT
The bridge over Doncaster Road, Crofton, is known locally as Redbeck Bridge, and has been the site of many collisions over the years, as drivers in high-sided vehicles misjudge the height of the railway lines.The bridge over Doncaster Road, Crofton, is known locally as Redbeck Bridge, and has been the site of many collisions over the years, as drivers in high-sided vehicles misjudge the height of the railway lines.
The bridge over Doncaster Road, Crofton, is known locally as Redbeck Bridge, and has been the site of many collisions over the years, as drivers in high-sided vehicles misjudge the height of the railway lines.

The bridge over Doncaster Road, Crofton, is known locally as Redbeck Bridge, and has been the site of many collisions over the years, as drivers in high-sided vehicles misjudge the height of the railway lines.

But Network Rail have now begun work on a £3.7million project to reconstruct and upgrade the overpass, with work including demolishing the bridge and rebuilding it at a raised height.

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As a result, the road, which links Wakefield to Crofton, Hemsworth, Ackworth and Featherstone, will be closed on a number of occasions.

Network Rail are suggesting a 16km diversion, which will take around 18 minutes to drive, while the road is closed.

These will be restricted to the Christmas period as much as possible, and will allow work to be completed in February 2021

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East route, said: “This work to upgrade the bridge at Doncaster Road is vital for the railway and for the community in Crofton. It will mean train services can continue running safely and reliably for generations to come.

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“We’ve carefully planned the work to make sure that Doncaster Road remains open whenever possible, especially at busier times. Key parts of this project can only be carried out safely when the road is closed, and we apologise to drivers, residents and businesses in Crofton for any inconvenience.”

When will the road be closed?

Five full overnight closures have been planed each Saturday from November 21. The road will close from 7pm on Saturday until 7am on Sunday. Pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will still be allowed to pass under the bridge, while drivers will be diverted.

From Sunday, November 22 until Saturday, January 30, there will be a partial road closure and one lane will be closed from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. Traffic lights will operate during these times.

The road will close to all traffic between 7pm on Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 30. There will be no access under the bridge at this time and two shuttle buses will be provided for pedestrians, one of which will have space for wheelchairs and bikes.

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There will also be five overnight road closures on each Saturday in January 2021. Doncaster Road will close from 19:00 on Saturday until 07:00 on the Sunday morning each week.

What is the official diversion?

During periods that the road is closed, drivers are advised to follow the official diversion, which measures around 10 miles, or 16km.

Drivers travelling towards Wakefield are advised to travel from Doncaster Road to Weeland Road, before turning left onto Common Side Lane towards Normanton Industrial Estate.

From there, drivers should turn left down the A655, and follow this road down to the junction with Doncaster Road, where they will be able to turn left onto the A638 and travel to the other side of the bridge.

Related topics:Doncaster RoadNetwork RailWakefieldDiversionsMatt RiceFeatherstone