Bailey Bridge diversion plans will go on public show

Feb 13 2009 by Lex Brown, Irvine Herald

DETAILS of road closures and diversions during the replacement of the Bailey Bridge in Irvine are to go on show at a public exhibition, North Ayrshire Council decided this week.

The council have drawn up diversion routes but admit that there will be delays to traffic flow during the YEAR long operation.

The scrutiny committee heard there had been improvements to the roads in the area over the last 18 months ahead of the replacement.

Diversions will be well signposted with traffic approaching the town from the north and north east diverted by way of Long Drive, Kilwinning Road and Marress Road.

Traffic from the other direction will go by way of Long Drive, Moss Drive and Ayr Road with a special truck diversion along Marine Drive to the harbour.

The committee was told that the bridge had been in place for more than 37 years. It is currently subject to a width and weight restriction and had no pedestrian or cycling provision built into the structure.

Regular inspections are carried out and a recent report said the bridge may require to be closed at relatively short notice to undertake emergency repairs if the replacement is postponed.

Full details of the diversions and the timetable for the work will be outlined to the committee.

They agreed the public exhibition should be staged as soon as possible.