Essential safety improvements to Fatherford Bridge in Okehampton are due to start next week, on Monday, March 14.

The four week scheme will extend the northern bridge parapet to close the gap on either side between the road bridge and the new footbridge.

The parapet extensions are required to improve site safety and minimise the risk of vehicles, in the event of an accident, falling onto the railway line.

The county council has been liaising with Dartmoor Railway to find an appropriate time to undertake the work which was delayed until after Christmas to avoid working adjacent to the line while the Polar Express was running.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: ’This work is necessary to improve safety at the bridge. Various design options have been considered but the parapet is to be sympathetically extended in masonry to blend in with the existing wall.’

Councillor James McInnes, local Devon County Councillor for Hatherleigh and Chagford, said he was ’pleased that the safety issue has been addressed’.

Councillor Kevin Ball, local Member for Okehampton Rural, said: ’I am pleased that this much need safety work is going to be completed. I understand why the work was delayed until after Christmas to avoid it being carried out while the Polar Express was running.’

Fatherford Road junction adjacent to the bridge will be closed throughout the works with a signed diversion in place. When the work is complete it will enable the orange barriers and temporary 30mph speed limit to be removed.