REMINDER FOR Bridge Street / Castle Street, Closed for 6 weeks from 11 January 2010

Bridge Street and Castle Street in Christchurch will be closed to through vehicle traffic at Waterloo Bridge from 11 January 2010 for approximately six weeks.

This is due to essential gas main replacement work by Southern Gas Networks, as well as work to upgrade an electricity cable by Scottish & Southern Energy and investigative work by Dorset County Council on Waterloo Bridge.

Diversions will be signposted and all local businesses will be open as usual. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to travel between Castle Street and Bridge Street as the pedestrian walkway will remain open.

Access will be available at all times to all properties and businesses on either side of Waterloo Bridge.

Buses will be diverted to follow the same routes as they follow on Mondays when the market is in the High Street, however Yellow Buses are likely to use a bus stop in Bargates for people wishing to get to the High Street rather than the stop on the dual-carriageway outside Waitrose.

People wishing to visit the Civic Offices are advised to use the car park at the rear of the Civic Offices, accessible from Stony Lane South.

Cllr Sally Derham Wilkes, portfolio holder for Business and Tourism at Christchurch Council, said: “We have asked the three organisations to carry out their work at the same time to make sure there is as little disruption as possible. We know there is never a good time for roads to be closed, but the period after Christmas and New Year is traditionally a quieter time.

“The Monday Market will continue to operate in the High Street during the period of the works but we would ask all businesses to make sure they do not schedule any deliveries on a Monday as it would be difficult for large vehicles to negotiate the one-way system around Church Street and Church Lane. In the event of an emergency, there will be access through the market for large vehicles.

“It’s important to reiterate that all businesses in Christchurch will be open throughout the roadworks and we would ask everyone to continue to support their local shops, restaurants and offices.”