Octavius Infrastructure’s replacement of the Winterstoke Road bridge in Weston-super-Mare has been delayed by at least five months after high summer temperatures forced piling work to stop.
The £26.7m project was scheduled for completion in summer 2027 but is now expected to open in early 2028, according to the contractor and North Somerset Council.
Safety concerns beside railway
The bridge crosses the railway between Taunton and Bristol. Octavius said continuing to install the 35-metre-deep piles during periods of extreme heat could have affected the stability of the track.
“A key element of the replacement of [the bridge] involves piling operations adjacent to the operational railway,” said Matt Whale, framework manager at Octavius Infrastructure.
“During these periods of extreme heat, activities could not safely proceed due to the potential impact on track stability,” he added. “These are industry-wide safety requirements designed to protect passengers, freight services and the railway network.”
High temperatures can cause steel railway tracks to expand. In some circumstances, this can make the track unstable, particularly where nearby construction has disturbed the ground.
Bridge replacement
North Somerset Council said the piles are required to stabilise poor ground conditions. Council leader Mike Bell said the authority was working with Octavius to “identify whether any work can be brought forward or rephased”.
The council awarded the contract to Octavius Infrastructure in September 2024. The existing bridge, which dates from the Second World War, was demolished over Christmas last year because of “significant structural issues”. The council said it would otherwise have needed to close within the next decade.
The replacement is intended to maintain the route for 120 years. The Ministry of Defence is funding the scheme because it owns the bridge.
Wider impact of heat
The Met Office said the UK experienced its hottest summer on record in 2026, with five heatwaves. Research from the University of Reading found that more than half of construction leaders had seen higher temperatures increase project costs, while almost as many had experienced delays.
Major projects including High Speed 2 and Hinkley Point C have also changed their approach to working in hot weather following periods of intense heat this summer.