A KEY PART of preparation for the next phase of works to dual the Southern Link Road from the M5 to Powick roundabout is taking shape.
To enable the additional bridge and carriageway to be built from the Ketch to Powick roundabout, an electricity pylon near the Carrington Bridge needs to be moved about 50 metres further south west.
The work is being carried out Western Power Distribution on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.
In order to move the pylon to the new location, a temporary pylon needs to be built in the field to house the overhead cables whilst the new, taller permanent pylon is rebuilt in the new position. Whilst the temporary pylon is in use, safety netting will be used at the point where the overhead cables cross the carriageway.
Scaffolding structures are currently being built on both sides of the carriageway, just after the Carrington Bridge.
Once complete, safety netting will cover the space between the two structures, spanning the width of the carriageway.
The structure and netting will be in place until mid-Autumn when the pylon move is completed.
Coun Dr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Economy and Infrastructure said: “It’s great to see work starting on the next phase of the Southern Link Road scheme.
“This temporary scaffold structure will look impressive during the short time it’s up and is a key part of the works needed before we can start the main construction next spring. Once fully dualled, journey times should be improved and city centre congestion relieved.”
Following planning consent given earlier this year, the main works to build an additional bridge next to the Carrington Bridge and extend the viaduct to Powick Roundabout, will begin next spring. Once completed, all westbound traffic towards the Powick roundabout will use the new dual carriageway and all eastbound traffic towards the Ketch roundabout will use the current two lanes of carriageway.
The pylon move is one of the many elements of preparation works that need to take place before the main bulk of work to dual the carriageway is started.
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/southernlinkroad for more information about the Southern Link Road scheme.
