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Week turns into months to remedy cracks on £32m Ralph Butcher Causeway Whittlesey
‘Some movement is always expected while the road settles’
Reasons for cracks appearing in the £32m Ralph Butcher Causeway at King’s Dyke, Whittlesey, remain unresolved and one-way traffic introduced in June will continue into the autumn. A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “The westbound carriageway, heading to Peterborough, on the Ralph Butcher Causeway at King’s Dyke continues to be temporarily closed.
“One lane was temporarily closed using two-way traffic lights, as a precaution, while our contractor Jones Bros carried out tests – these tests are ongoing and we’re waiting for an update as to why the cracks have appeared and a way forward.
“Until then, the lane closure will remain in place.”
The westbound carriageway was closed in June “while our contractor, Jones Bros, carry out some tests which will involve digging into the road”.
Kings Dyke crossing opening on Monday – 50 years after campaign began, Whittlesey, Peterborough Saturday 09 July 2022. Picture by Terry Harris.
Back then a council spokesperson said: “Jones Bros will be doing the tests to see why these cracks have appeared, some movement is always expected while the road settles. We will be keeping the situation under constant review.
“Other work will be carried out at the same time, such as clearing the drains and testing the safety barriers.
“We’d like to thank people for their patience during this time and further information will be provided in due course, but it is expected one lane will be closed for at least a week.”
With the week now extending into more than two months, motorists can expect have to respite from the one-way lights anytime soon.
Kings Dyke opening, Whittlesey, Peterborough Monday 11 July 2022. Picture by Terry Harris.
It is the second year following completion of the crossing at Whittlesey that one way traffic introduced for safety checks.
Last year’s repairs were to carry out “final off-road remedial work” but in June Cambridgeshire County Council said that traffic lights were being re-instated for further safety checks.
In October 2022, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Board (CAPCA) agreed extra funding for the bridge partly because of the need to fill-in Star Pit to support the bridge embankment.
CAPCA said this was a “a complex engineering challenge which will need more additional work than originally envisaged by Cambridgeshire County Council and their contractor and hence requires booster funding”.
The contract to build the bridge was won by Jones Bros of Wales after the county council went back to the market after failing to agree a final price with their original preferred bidder Kier was dropped.
The work was originally awarded to Kier in August 2017 under a two-stage design and build contracts, but costs spiralled following completion of the design.
One-way traffic is a familiar pattern for those using the £32m Ralph Butcher Causeway Whittlesey after cracks appeared and contractors yet to determine cause. PHOTO: John Elworthy
Council leader Steve Count said at the time of Kier: “It is a shame that we have been forced to wait so long to receive a price that is so clearly out of line with earlier and even revised expectations.”
He said: “I am clear we should not now proceed with Kier as we cannot agree this final revised cost which has considerably increased.”
The council said as a result of finding a new contractor the total required budget for the project had reduced from £41.6m to £32m.”
Jones has been widely praised for their efforts, picking up three awards at the CIPR East Anglia Awards to recognise community involvement in a landmark project
But in April of last year, it was revealed a nine-week programme of works was needed to “finish up on site and carrying out final off-road remedial work”.
The contractors explained that “once a new road is built, there is often the need for what we call ‘remedial’ work.
“At the end of any major scheme there is a period where the project gets ready to finish up and final checks are completed to ensure our high standards of quality are met”.
The project team said: “While this work is carried out, there will be 24/7 temporary two-way traffic lights installed along Ralph Butcher Causeway starting on 19 April for nine weeks, although we hope to finish sooner if possible.
“Last year, there was a focus on Star Pit and a piled wall was installed below ground level. That work allowed the road’s embankment to be built on top.
“As part of this final check, Cambridgeshire County Council and Jones Bros have agreed further work is required at the top of the embankment.”
This included:
– Removing the safety barrier and fence between the rail bridge and the underpass structures
– Replacing the top 1.2m of verge
– The installation of drainage
– Reinstalling the safety barrier
Other works included:
– Footpath resurfacing
– Gully installation and manhole connection
– Completing drainage cleansing and CCTV surveying works
For now, drivers into and out of Whittlesey and Peterborough can continue to expect delays with traffic lights on the bridge.
One-way traffic is a familiar pattern for those using the £32m Ralph Butcher Causeway Whittlesey after cracks appeared and contractors yet to determine cause. PHOTO: John Elworthy
