BRIDGE WATCH DAY 13: Open the bridge next week, say readers

Earlier this week the Northants Telegraph ran a poll, giving our readers a say on two suggested options for the re-opening of Corby’s Cottingham Road Bridge.

The closure as part of the Midland Main Line upgrade, which began in January, was initially due to end on August 14 but that was then extended to September 10, and then September 29 with little notice.

And it was announced just days before the closure was due to end that it would now be extended to October 19.

At a passionate public meeting last week residents were told that the October 19 date would only be a partial re-opening, with one lane open to traffic and temporary lights.

An alternative date of November 26 was suggested, with the road remaining closed in the meantime before re-opening in full.

So we put the two dates to our readers.

Our poll was close but the partial re-opening on October 19 received 56 per cent of the votes at the time this article went to press, compared to 44 per cent who said they preferred to wait until November 26.

On October 1 the Northants Telegraph launched Bridge Watch, running a story a day until the scheduled October 19 opening date, to ensure that Network Rail stick to their word and re-open the bridge in order for the Old Village businesses to be sure their footfall increases in the vital run up to Christmas.

Ed Akers, principal programme sponsor at Network Rail, apologised for the delay in re-opening the bridge.

He said: “We are working closely with partners to ensure the work on the bridge is finished as quickly as possible and we’d like to thank residents for their patience whilst we complete this vital upgrade.”