A VICTORIAN road bridge will be closed until Christmas for essential repairs.

Cocken Road, which links the villages of Plawsworth and West Rainton, will be closed for 15 weeks starting on Tuesday (sept 1) while work takes place on Cocken Ford Bridge.

The road will be closed to all between the junctions of Holmhill Lane and Cocken Lane, with drivers facing a lengthy diversion along the A167 via Chester-le-Street.

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager with Durham County Council, said: “There will be a diversion in place while the road is closed and we would like to thank people in advance for their patience while this important work is carried out.”

Durham County Council says the bridge, which dates back to the 1880s, needs a major refurbishment and work will be carried out in three stages, timed to coincide with the end of the major repair works on Milburngate Bridge in Durham.

Preliminary works will see scaffolding put up over the entire bridge and the temporary diversion of a water main.

The second stage will include repair of the bridge’s steelwork and replacement of steel cross beams, major repairs to the surface of the bridge, along with concrete works at either end, followed by painting and waterproofing.

Finally, the site will be cleared with the water main reinstated and scaffolding removed.

Work is scheduled to be completed just days before Christmas.

Ward councillor Mark Wilkes said he was concerned about the length of time that disruption would continue.

He said: “While works may be necessary, surely the Council can recognise that this will call major inconvenience for residents.

“This closure will run almost up to Christmas.

“I have urged the Council to speed up all aspects repair process but they seem adamant it will take 15 weeks".