Bridge strengthening means delays on road

The work to strengthen the key bridge on Rowan Way will see its width temporarily restricted to one lane from next Monday (February 18).

Traffic lights will be put in place while the £400,000 scheme by West Sussex County Council takes place. It is due to last for 16 weeks.

The improvements to the bridge over the Aldingbourne Rife are needed ahead of the opening of the Bognor Regis relief road later this year.

This is because the number of heavy goods vehicles using Rowan Way is expected to increase once the relief road opens.

Peter Montyn, the county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This work is part of wider infrastructure improvements which will alleviate traffic and benefit the whole of Bognor.

“Unfortunately, it means some short-term pain for long-term gain. We ask residents and motorists to bear with us while this essential work is finished.”

Rowan Way’s speed limit will be cut to 30mph while the strengthening takes place. Contractor Balfour Beatty is doing the work.

The road will return to normal once the work has been completed. But the respite for drivers will only be short-lived.

September will see temporary traffic lights back again for some eight weeks.

Their re-appearance in the autumn will be to allow the relief road roundabout to be connected to Rowan Way.

This is just to the west of the bridge to make Rowan Way a key link between the relief road’s western and eastern sections.