Final consent needed for A422 bridge repair granted with work starting next month

The Environment Agency ‘finally’ approved the scheme on Wednesday (October 17) but conditions mean the plans have to be changed.

The ‘structural liner’ of the bridge needs to be amended, increasing the cost and timescale while the new part is delivered, estimated to be four weeks.

But Northamptonshire County Council is planning to begin work in mid-November for three weeks – after which the road between Banbury and Brackley should reopen.

“We appreciate that there has been considerable disruption and inconvenience and the issues raised relating to safety as a result of the closure,” a council spokesman said.

The A422 has been shut since August after the bridge over Farthinghoe Stream was found to be structurally unsafe.

Traffic is officially diverted via the M40 and the spokesman added that they ‘cannot add more signs’ about the diversion as drivers could start ignoring them.

A petition urging the Government to provide funds to reopen the road has nearly reached 3,000 signatures.