Summary
Southampton City Council is working in partnership with Balfour Beatty, Network Rail and SSEN to secure the integrity of a section of St Denys Road retaining wall between Adelaide Road and the junction of Thomas Lewis Way.
At present there are traffic restrictions in the area due to the retaining wall having suffered a partial collapse. This wall supports the approach to the road-over-rail bridge. The wall continues to be in an unsafe but stable condition. It requires comprehensive rebuilding and very regular safety inspections, which are occurring by both the City Council and Network Rail.
All parties are working collaboratively to ensure that once site works commence, the work conducted by each team will be effectively scheduled and completed as safely and efficiently as possible Weekly design and planning meetings have been taking place since May of this year between all parties to ensure the project remains a priority.
Latest Updates
6th November 2024
We have been informed by the parties carrying out the repairs that the previously discovered unchartered cables have been determined safe, and works have been allowed to continue.
These issues have contributed to a delay in the overall delivery of the repairs, as previously communicated. Work is now anticipated to continue until the weekend of the 15th December 2024, with a breakdown of the next phases of work below for more information:
- From now until 1st December 2024
Reconstruction of sublayers of the collapse, to limit land loss and preserve and maintain the integrity of the structure. The road closure will remain in place, for the continued safety of the public and staff on site as the teams construct new layers that are sensitive to vibrations and vehicle movements could compromise the work. - 1st December 2024 until 15th December 2024
The current temporary traffic light restrictions and closure will be lifted, with a westbound lane closure remaining in place, as well as the closure on Adelaide Road during the daytime only (9:00am to 3:00pm) to allow an adequate exclusion zone for the new layers to cure. Movements on St Denys Road will return to usual.
Please be aware that the dates provided are subject to change due to the nature of works and weather conditions. We will endeavour to seek and provide more updates from Network Rail and SSEN as the works progress.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of residents as this key infrastructure project is completed and we recognise the impact that these delays are having, please be assured all stakeholders are working collaboratively to complete this repair in a timely manner.
24th October 2024
The works have been progressing well and as planned. We have, however, been informed by Network Rail that during their work to secure the area they have identified many deep uncharted services.
To ensure the safety of the public and the team and to enable the work to proceed, it is necessary to test each of the potentially live unknown cables so that they can be managed appropriately and safely by the team on site. Network Rail has confirmed that this additional work will delay their progress by days or weeks, and will delay the re-opening of the road to traffic.
14th October 2024
SSEN's work on St Denys Road has now concluded, and the repairs by Network Rail are now underway.
27th September 2024
The planning of these complicated works continues, and advanced warning signs from one of the partners (SSEN) have been placed on the network to advise of the first stage of the works, that includes the diversion of an electric cable. This work needs to happen first to enable access to the collapsed wall. SSEN’s works will take approximately 1 week, however the traffic management will remain in place for a further 2 weeks for Network Rail to complete the majority of their repairs. This work will commence from Saturday 5th October 2024.
To view or download the letter sent to residents regarding this work, please click here.
Traffic Management
During this time, St Denys Road will temporarily become westbound only between Aberdeen Road and Thomas Lewis Way. Kent Road and Adelaide Road will be closed at the junction of St. Denys Road, to assist with traffic flow. Access for pedestrians will be maintained, and cyclists may be asked to dismount in order to navigate the works area safely.
- St Denys Road will temporarily be westbound only between Aberdeen Road and Thomas Lewis Way
- No access onto St Denys Road from Kent Road or Aberdeen Road
- No access onto St Denys Road from Thomas Lewis Way
The diversion route in place will be clearly signed, and will utilise Thomas Lewis Way, Bevois Valley Road, Dorset Street, Charlottes Place, St Andrews Road, Northam Road, Bitterne Road West & Bullar Road.
The diversion route has been designed so that Cobden Bridge is not overwhelmed or would cause it to be at a standstill, whilst ensuring that people can access a plethora of roadnetworks that will take them in multiple directions from Bitterne Park Triangle to the city or towards the M27, Portswood, etc.
(Works area map provided by Connect It Utility Services, click to enlarge)
More information can be found on our FAQs, which can be accessed here or downloaded here.
We will be post updates in the coming weeks to provide the community with additional information from all partners. We would like to thank you for your patience during this multifaceted project.
Any advanced signage will be updated as soon as possible so that they reflect the overall programme between the SSEN and Network Rail.
Bus companies in Southampton have been made aware of these works, and should you have any questions or queries regarding services, please check their websites for the most accurate information as they will manage and maintain their own diversions and/or temporary stops.
The various teams and specialist contractors have been active in producing a solution that is close to being programmed for delivery. We have, however, had several challenges during the time that the site has been inactive and some of these can be highlighted:
- Confirming the exact position of a multitude of underground services
- Establishing the minimum possible duration of an eventual full road closure of the westbound carriageway while electricity cable diversion works take place
- Working through safe working methods for reconstruction next to high and low voltage mains on a restricted site
- Considering the effect of timing of works against other key schemes and traffic restrictions taking place in the City
- Recognition that there won’t be any other means to complete the works without localised electricity supply shut down for certain properties
The work to-date has led to several successful milestones being reached, for example:
- A collaboration agreement between the City Council and Network Rail to share responsibility for the rectification works
- Rail bridge investigations that have led less extensive and disruptive utility diversion works
- Securing property owner permission for a temporary wayleave associated with electricity cable relocation
- Land purchase arrangements to secure improved long-term access and maintenance of the completed works
For more information on how this project interacts with the planned improvements on Lodge Road/Portswood Road junction and Bevois Hill, please click here.
