Map showing location of works area and diversion route
Balfour Beatty is working in partnership with East Sussex County Council to manage the highways service across East Sussex. As part of this, we will be carrying out repairs to Shawford Bridge, which carries Gun Road over the Tickerage Stream in Blackboys.
As you may be aware, our original intention was to repair the bridge during the summer of 2023 by rebuilding the walls which were severely damaged by flood water. However, once the water had receded, inspections found structural and stability issues and it was decided that the best course of action would be to replace the bridge.
Progression of the design for the new bridge has involved numerous site surveys and investigations in order for a special environmental permit to be issued by the Environment Agency.
Once completed, these works will allow the road to be reopened after its prolonged closure, and ensure a structure that is more robust against future flood events.
When do they start?
Work will start on Monday 12 February and continue until Friday 10 May. The team will be onsite between 7am and 5pm each day. There will be no weekend working.
We will inform you of any changes to the dates or times via advanced warning signs on site.
What are we doing?
The new bridge will be formed of precast concrete units, minimising the amount of wet concrete work needed next to the stream. This will also make the works quicker compared to constructing the new bridge fully in-situ. The units will be made off site and imported in.
The exposed faces of the concrete units will be clad in brickwork which is in keeping with the existing appearance.
Due to the large amount of materials coming in and being removed from the site, please expect regular heavy lorries on both approaches and allow extra journey time when accessing/egressing private properties along Gun Road. In some instances, due to the narrowness of the road, larger vehicles may need to reverse down to the bridge under the supervision of banksman.
How will this impact highway users?
As you may be aware, Gun Road is currently closed to through traffic.
A temporary footbridge will be provided to allow pedestrian access past the works site. Equestrians are requested to avoid the area during working hours due to risk of horses being unsettled by site noise. At other times, equestrians are requested to dismount if using the footbridge.
Cyclists are also requested to dismount when crossing the footbridge to ensure the safety of other users.
Should you have any concerns during the works, please feel free to contact the Site Foreman directly who will be more than happy to assist you, where possible.
Information for residents and businesses
Parking: If required, we will put out ‘no parking’ signs and cones on the site to advise where parking is restricted. Please avoid parking in these locations as it will delay our works.
Weather: All of these works are highly weather dependant, for example heavy rain may affect the progress of the works and cause a delay or postponement.
Properties close to the carriageway may experience a temporary disturbance as this can be a noisy process and those properties may experience flashing lights and reversing sirens.
Permit Reference: EA004SA-00152571-01
We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption this work may cause, however this forms part of our continuing improvement for the East Sussex highway network.
Please let us know how we did by leaving feedback. Please note you will be redirected to the East Sussex County Council consultation website.