David Warburton Presses Network Rail on Reopening of Ansford Bridge

David Warburton, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Somerton and Frome, spoke to Patrick McLoughlin MP, the Transport Secretary recently and urged Network Rail to clarify their proposed timing of the reopening the A371 at Ansford Bridge in Castle Cary.

Network Rail revealed not only that work is progressing on schedule and the bridge will fully reopen on 29th November, but also that the bridge will open to signal-controlled single lane traffic from 15th November.

Earlier this month David Warburton met with Network Rail and requested that local residents and businesses in the Castle Cary area be informed at the earliest possible opportunity about the reopening of this vital highway.

David also contacted the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to express his concern at the detrimental effect of the closure of this vital artery, and request that the work be completed as soon as possible.

Patrick McLoughlin commented:

"Ansford Bridge is being repaired and strengthened to bring it back up to 40 tonne loading capacity, which means not only the safe passage of trains beneath but also provides a robust route over the railway without weight restrictions, which is essential for local business. I'm pleased that work has progressed on schedule and that the bridge will reopen very soon."

David Warburton commented:

"For the past 13 weeks, the closure of the A371 at Ansford Bridge in Castle Cary has had a significant effect on local businesses and has been disruptive to local residents." He continued "I want to make sure that the interests of local people are upheld and it's great news that the bridge will partially reopen on November 15th. The maintenance and repair work to the bridge was vital, but we desperately need now to get things back up and running."

David, who was chosen to represent Somerton and Frome by hundreds of local Conservative members, lives in Mendip with his wife Harriet and their two children. He trained as a classical composer and taught at an inner-city secondary school before going on to a successful business career.

To follow David's campaigns for Somerton and Frome Conservatives go to http://www.davidwarburton.org/, or find him on Facebook and Twitter @DJWarburton.

Comments

johnbaxter
Posts: 1

Ansford Railway Bridge
Reply #1 on : Thu October 24, 2013, 17:17:58

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On the 16th of October David Heath our MP for Somerton and Frome lead a debate in the Commons protesting about the inadequate behaviour of Network Rail. This was almost his first act since he returned to the back benches. See http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2013-10-16b.857.0&s=speaker:10269#g857.2

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