Overnight closures of A17 Cross Keys Swing Bridge in Sutton Bridge

Highways chiefs have announced overnight closures for the A17 in Sutton Bridge as part of major maintenance work.

Work to repaint the Cross Keys Swing Bridge started two weeks ago and are set to take until July 1.

Traffic control measures will be in place for the majority of the job - but there will be some overnight closures needed and the detail of these has now been revealed.

The bridge is having to be shut down during these periods to allow the work crew to paint the ends of the bridge and other areas that are inaccessible whilst the traffic flowing.

This means that the bridge will be closed from 7pm to 7am on the affected days.

Those days are:

• May 3, 4 and 5

• May 9, 10 and 11

• May 16, 17 and 18

• May 23, 24 and 25

A diversionary route will be in place via Wisbech, the next nearest river crossing.

'Variable Message Signs' will be used locally to give advance notice of each closure ahead of the affected dates.

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways said: “The overnight closures are a vital part of our minimising the amount of disruption for road users in the area.

“By getting this aspect of the maintenance works out of the way by working through the night, we can ensure that the least amount of traffic is directly affected.

“For those who want to avoid the bridge completely, the advisory diversionary route will be clearly signposted to make things as straightforward as possible.

“We want to thank everyone for their continuing patience in this matter while the vital works are happening.”

While there have been occasional queues on the A17 today, the early stages of the work have not yet resulted in heavy congestion around Sutton Bridge.

During public holidays, the restrictions will be removed completely to avoid long tailbacks.