TWELVE months after a six-week closure of Hexham Railway Bridge caused disruption for residents and businesses, council chiefs are planning a refurbishment programme for the town’s Tyne bridge which could take 26 weeks.

Dating back to 1793, Hexham Bridge provides a vital highway link between the town and the A69, and is in need of essential maintenance work which Northumberland County Council say will restore and preserve it.

But, unlike the railway bridge closure which demanded a diversion via the notorious West Road junction off the A69 last June, work on the top of the bridge is expected to be carried out overnight with just one lane of the carriageway closed.

However, members of Hexham Town Council have been given advanced warning of the project which is expected to start this June, with many fearing it will bring yet more disruption for local people and visitors.

Coun. Mark Graham told Monday night’s town council meeting: “I do think it’s disappointing this wasn’t timed to coincide with the railway bridge work.

“It’s going to be hitting summer season again.”

Coun. Rad Hare said: “This is such an historic structure and needs to be looked after properly so I think we just have to accept this.”

Expressing concern over the closure times in order to avoid queuing traffic, Coun. Nuala Rose called for confirmation of the times planned.

“This is a massive closure; it’s half a year. So I’m sure some disruption is unavoidable,” said Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Trevor Cessford.

“But hopefully, because the work is being done overnight and one lane is being kept open, that will be kept to a minimum.”

Investigation work is planned over the next few weeks so that a full schedule of the repairs required to the Grade II listed structure can be drawn up.

This is also expected to be done overnight, with one lane accessible via traffic lights between 8pm and 6am, and work beneath the bridge carried out using specialist access platforms.

Coun. Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services at the county council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that this causes as little disruption to users as possible.”