BRIDGE WATCH DAY 16: 270 days and counting

The project to build a higher bridge over the railway line has stalled twice - leaving the historic heart of the town cut off from the new town.

The Northants Telegraph pledged, at the beginning of October, to mark each passing day with a story until the bridge is due to reopen on Friday (October 19).

Workers have been redoubling their efforts this week to get the bridge to a state where a single line of traffic will be able to cross it.

Business owners in the Old Village say that they have been driven to the brink of closure by the work and are counting down the days until the bridge reopens.

We’ve been counting the days since it originally closed on January 19 - and yesterday (Monday) saw the number reach 270.

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.

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.”