A FIVE-DAY trial to encourage more people to walk or cycle across Abingdon Bridge in a bid to 'turn an issue into an opportunity' has been extended.

Originally restrictions were introduced in May after an inspection revealed stonework on the northern arch of the bridge – which carries the A415 across the River Thames in Abingdon – had become displaced. Temporary traffic signals were put in place to enable vehicles up to 44 tonnes to continue to use the bridge.

In an attempt to use the situation to explore ways to improve Active Travel in the town, Oxfordshire County Council decided to run a short trial.

In July the temporary traffic signals were moved further apart to either end of Abingdon Bridge – near to Thames Street in the north and the Rye Farm car park in the south – to create a dedicated space for cycling and walking over the bridge.

There were concerns that the trial might have significantly impacted traffic through the town; however, the council now believes this is not the case and has extended the trial.

The council has said it is likely to be several months before work can start on repairing the bridge and possibly more than a year before it is completed. The complex nature of repairing this historic bridge, which was built in the 15th century, and uncertainty over the availability of subcontractors with the specialist skills, are factors in the amount of time the work will take.

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