Beech Fields Bridge finally replaced
The Lib Dems have been in communication with Trafford Council contractor AMEY to get a new bridge across the brook at Beech Fields in place. Finally, AMEY has replaced the bridge and added anti-slip material.
Anti-slip strips finally added to new bridge (21 Sep 2024)
At last, Amey have come back to finish the job (this time with enough wood...) and they have replaced the remaining slats on the bridge.
We also got them them to fix non-slip strips onto the deck to help stop it being so slippy in winter, when it always gets covered in muddy tracks in the rain.
Bridge partially replaced, but anti-slip material missing (11 Sep 2024)
The Lib Dems wanted to know why, after all that effort, they put some old wooden slats back down at one end of the bridge deck. Also, we wanted to know where the anti-slip surface that was promised as part of this work is?
We have been pressuring the person who coordinates the jobs at Amey to get the job finished.
Apparently, they ran out of wood for the remaining new slats and have more on order. (!)
Rather than keep it closed all summer, they put some old wooden slats back at one end, so they could re-open the bridge. Then they decided to wait to put the new anti-slip surface down, once all of the slats have been replaced
We have now been told contractors are back to finish the job in the coming days and weeks.
Rough date set for bridge replacement (13 May 2024)
Back in January, the Council's contractors finally agreed with the Lib Dems that we need to replace the bridge across Fairywell Brook in the middle of Beech Fields, but they said it would be summer before the job is done.
We have been told by Amey that:
"...we would expect the start date in mid to end of May."
The dodgy "repair" where you walk over gets very slippery with wet mud, which is one of the reasons the Lib Dems kept pushing for a proper replacement.
Amey was told that we keep getting problems with damaged sections of that bridge, so it should be built from something more long-lasting.
Cllr Will Frass had to push to get a spec for what they are doing - key bit below:
"Dear Cllr. Frass,
The proposed works involve replacing the damaged parapets and deck planks on a like-for-like basis in timber, with the installation of anti-slip strips on the deck planks."
Cllr Frass pushed back on this, asking for something more long-lasting than wood, but we were told:
"...continuing to use wood for the bridge means it's quicker and cheaper to repair"
Hopefully the new bridge looks smart and the structure will be more robust than the old one.
