ONE of the busiest roads in the New Forest has finally reopened as work progresses on a multi-million-pound bridge replacement scheme.

An eight-mile section of the A35 closed at the start of the year to enable engineers to install a new bridge over the C10 Brockenhurst to Burley route at Holmsley.

Motorists breathed a huge sigh of relief yesterday morning as the road reopened - just in time for the Easter break.

It brings to an end four months of disruption that has seen Forest businesses complain about lost income as well as drivers voicing frustration over long diversions.

The Swan Inn at Emery Down is reported to have suffered a £60,000 loss and the Old Station Tearoom at Holmsley has also been hit.

Bournemouth Echo: The A35 at holmsley has reopened as work progresses on a £5.5m project to install a new bridge over the C10 Station Road. Picture: Simon Rowley.The A35 at holmsley has reopened as work progresses on a £5.5m project to install a new bridge over the C10 Station Road. Picture: Simon Rowley.

A temporary 40mph speed limit be in force until the £5.5m bridge replacement project comes to an end in June.

And four-way traffic lights have been set up at the A35's junction with two side roads west of the new bridge to protect road users and the workforce while activity continues.

The C10 will reopen later this week but only as a single carriageway with two-way temporary traffic signals while drainage works are completed.

A county council spokesman said: "Localised traffic management will be needed on both roads for various construction activities until the end of June, when both the bridge and highway improvement works are expected to be fully completed."

Bournemouth Echo: The A35 at Holmsley has reopened as work progresses on a £5.5m bridge replacement scheme. Picture: Simon Rowley.The A35 at Holmsley has reopened as work progresses on a £5.5m bridge replacement scheme. Picture: Simon Rowley.

The old bridge dates from 1908, when it replaced an earlier structure built in 1847.

The railway closed in 1964 and was replaced by the C10 in the 1970s, with the bridge being placed in the ownership of the county council in 2012.

A council spokesman said: "Due to the age of the bridge and its form of construction, its general condition has been steadily deteriorating over the years, primarily due to corrosion of the steel plates and rivets.

"The council continually assessed the structure to ensure it can continue to support the required traffic loadings, despite its deteriorating condition.

"In 2018 props were installed in some areas under the bridge to keep it functional until it could be replaced."