MORE than four double decker buses worth of beams will soon be delivered to the A31 at Ringwood as the bridge demolition works are completed.

The 750-tonne mega-crane returned to site last week to continue the demolition of the old 1930’s bridges on the westbound carriageway of the A31 at Ringwood as part of the £25m-plus road widening scheme.

Making the most of the good weather, crews were able to remove the Bickerley Millstream bridge last week ahead of schedule.

With the demolition of both bridges now complete, National Highways says it will continue its building of the foundations for the new bridge supports, which will carry the decks.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 at Ringwood bridge demolition works. Picture: National HighwaysA31 at Ringwood bridge demolition works. Picture: National Highways

These beams are 45 metres in length, which is more than the size of four double decker buses parked bumper to bumper, and will be delivered to site in mid-August.

In order to deliver these safely, the A31 westbound will be closed overnight. More information will be announced once a delivery date is confirmed.

In addition, crews have moved the footpath between West Street and the Verwood Junction onto the closed section of the A31 westbound carriageway while the path is widened and resurfaced. This work will begin this week and the footpath will be reopened soon after the work is complete.

As reported, further drainage works will be carried out on the A31 in mid-July for two weeks – resulting in more overnight closures.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 at Ringwood bridge demolition works are now complete. Picture: National HighwaysA31 at Ringwood bridge demolition works are now complete. Picture: National Highways

The A31 eastbound lanes between the Ashley Heath roundabout and the M21 J1 at Cadnam will be closed overnight during the hours of 9pm to 6am from Monday, July 11 to Friday 15. Road users will be diverted via the A338 (Spur Road), A3060, A35, A326 or A336.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “We understand closures on this stretch of the A31 are disruptive, we’re working to keep them to a minimum while delivering our improvements. The work will be done overnight when traffic is at its lowest.”

All work is on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of November.