Historic Cotswolds bridge set to close for major works

Burford Bridge, which runs along the A361, will be shut from July 21 to 23 between 8pm and 6am to allow Oxfordshire County Council to upgrade pedestrian facilities on the bridge.

Burford Town Council said: “We have been advised of the following overnight road closure for improvements to the pedestrian facility on Burford Bridge.

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“In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road as detailed above in order to facilitate improvements to be made to the pedestrian facility on Burford Bridge.”

The closure will be managed under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice, which allows for urgent works to take place over a period of up to five days.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

The bridge at Burford over the River Windrush is 15th century in origin, was heavily remodelled 1791 and restored in the 20th century, widened either 1791 or in the later restoration, according to the county council.

Although widened, it remains too narrow for modern vehicles to pass, resulting in 24/7 traffic light control and frequent peak-time queues.

An 18-month experimental ban on larger lorries using the road through Burford ended in February 2022 and was not renewed by the county council.