Garnier Road in Winchester reopens to all vehicles following replacement of Tunbridge crossing

Councillor Nick Adams-King, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Universal Services, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that work to refurbish Tunbridge has been completed allowing us to now reopen Garnier Road to all vehicles. The new bridge provides a structure that has a lifespan of 120 years and which meets modern traffic carrying standards. I appreciate that the scheme has caused some local disruption, and I would like to thank people once more for their patience whilst the construction work was underway. This was a complex engineering challenge not least to due to the presence of numerous utility cables that were embedded within the bridge. With the main element of the project now finished, our team will remain on site for a short while longer finalising other elements of the scheme such as improving the footpaths.”
 
Work began in March 2023 on this essential upgrade of the 100-year-old Tunbridge which was showing visible signs of age and deterioration. The road and top section of the bridge have now been replaced.
 
The area, including the Itchen Navigation, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a popular gateway to the South Downs National Park. Therefore, the scheme has been developed with careful consideration of its ecologically sensitive location. The new bridge features a red brick exterior to complement the picturesque surroundings. A package of ecological measures has also been added to safeguard wildlife such as bat roosts and swallow nest cups. New safety fencing has also been provided alongside a new highway drainage system to reduce the risk of flooding on Garnier Road.