Work starts on the A40 Abbey Way flyover

Structural improvement and resurfacing work begins on Abbey Way flyover, High Wycombe, on Monday August 18.

A series of structural inspections and investigations between 2011 and 2013, Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) identified the flyover parapets were not structurally sound enough to withstand a collision. So the road was reduced to one lane in each direction to reduce the risk of vehicles hitting the parapets.

Work - including installing safety barriers, new high kerbs, and resurfacing - will give the flyover another 20 years life, and takes account of future developments in the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan. Once the work is done Lily’s Walk will reopen to two way traffic.

Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport said that longer term plans to improve the environment of High Wycombe town centre meant an expensive over-investment in a structure with a limited lifespan was not a viable solution. The planned work, he said, was a good, affordable short-term solution and would improve the immediate situation.

Works comprise the following:

Abbey Way - eastbound: A semi-permanent barrier will be installed, closing lane one permanently. Lane two will be resurfaced and lane one will undergo a 'slurry seal' thin layer surface treatment to reduce water penetration.
Abbey Way - westbound: High containment ‘Trief’ kerbing will be installed along key lengths to protect the weak parapet and lane one and two resurfaced. The safety barrier will be extended.
Lily’s Walk: The traffic signals will be reinstated. High containment ‘Trief’ kerbing will be installed along both sides to protect the weak parapets and the carriageway resurfaced.

The work, which will also help alleviate some water leakage through the structure, starts on August 18 and will be complete by the end of October.
Temporary Traffic Management During Construction

Abbey Way: Work will generally be done during the day and one lane in each direction will remain open to traffic. Up to 15 individual overnight (9pm to 6am) closures of one carriageway at a time will be required, during the week only, to allow resurfacing to be done. Dates will be advertised in advance, and a diversion route will be signed.

Lily’s Walk: The road will remain closed during the work and a diversion route will be in place.

Buses: During the work, buses will be running on usual routes.

Mark Shaw, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport said: 'It has taken some time to develop a satisfactory programme to guarantee the safety of road users using the flyover, while ensuring we aren't wasting money on a structure with a limited life. I am happy that we have reached a suitable outcome and look forward to the work being complete in October.

'I apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused up till now, and through the forthcoming works. Hopefully we will be able to keep a relatively free-flowing road throughout the day time works. There may be some disruption to road users overnight on occasions."