As local businesses and residents know too well, the road has been shut since November, as Natwork Rail carry out repairs to the bridge. The bridge is considered "too weak to continue to cope with the trains that it carries", and repairs are now set to continue on the bridge into June.
Given that trains continue to use the bridge, questions are being raised as to how the reason for the delay in completing the repairs is attributed to the bridge being structurally unsound.
Local residents are finding that the road closure is adding miles to their otherwise short journeys, and local businesses in both Brockenhurst and Sway have said that that the road closure has had an impact on their business as people avoid the area.
It is anticipated that one lane will be reopened at the beginning of April (possibly the 4th April) and temporary traffic lights will be in place. While Network Rail have apologised for the inconvenience, they have not confirmed when the repairs will be completed and the road fully reopened.
