Smethurst Lane Resufacing Update

 

Smethurst Lane is identified on the Structural Maintenance Programme for 08/09 as being in need of improvement but was delayed over discussions with regards traffic calming.  As the traffic calming element has been postponed It is intended to start surfacing works without delay.

As a result of the delay a complication has arisen with a conflict of interests.  National Grid are now planning to carry out essential infrastructure improvements to the high pressure main at the St. Helens Road end of Smethurst Lane on 01/04/09 with works programmed to last until June.  There is time to resurface the road before they start on site however National Grid will undertake some works in the carriageway and would excavate our newly surfaced carriageway.

It is not possible to completely delay the surfacing works until after National Grid complete this work for two reasons.

1)     The failed carriageway is resulting in frequent emergency repairs to maintain in a safe condition.  This will only increase if resurfacing works are left for a further 3 months allowing further deterioration.

2)      National Grid will be replacing the medium pressure gas main along Plodder Lane from early June; this would prevent traffic using Plodder Lane as a diversion route while Smethurst Lane was surfaced.

After discussions with National Grid it is possible to work together to try and reduce the conflicts.  Surfacing works will need to be phased as detailed below:

On the Weekend of 21-22/03/09 Smethurst Lane will be closed to through traffic (Access will be maintained for residential traffic).  Between house Nr 12 and house number 98 the surface will be planed out to a depth of 100mm and reinstated with a 60mm deep base layer of tarmac surfacing.

The final surface layer will NOT be laid and the site will be left to allow National Grid to complete their works. 

On the Weekend of 28-29/03/09 Smethurst Lane will closed as before.  Patches will be planed out between house number 98 and the industrial estate near Plodder Lane.  Patches will be planed to a depth of 40mm in failed sections for approximately 150m total linear length.  As these works will not be affected by National Grid proposals the finished surface layer of tarmac will be replaced.

National Grid may utilise both of these closures to lay the medium pressure pipe from Plodder Lane to the Industrial estate.  This will prevent the road being closed again for their works.

When National grid complete their works at St. Helens Road end of Smethurst Lane in June.  Bolton Council Highways will return to site.  Smethurst Lane will again be closed to through traffic for 1 weekend as before.  The road surface will be planed out to a depth of 40mm between St. Helens Road and house number 12 to a depth of 40mm.  The gully and manhole ironwork will be adjusted to the correct levels and the surfacecourse will be laid between St. Helens Road and house number 98.