RNAS Culdrose bridge repairs to narrow the road to the Lizard

If your route to the Lizard takes you past the main gate at RNAS Culdrose, the road overhead is about to get some attention. Nothing changes straight away, but a longer disruption is already booked in for later in the year.

What’s happening, and when

The bridge carrying traffic over the A3083 near the base’s main gate was built in 1969 and 1970 and is now due a full survey. That means stripping it back to check its condition and carrying out whatever repairs the survey turns up.

The work starts on Tuesday 22 September. Both lanes of the A3083 will stay open and traffic will continue as normal, so day to day nothing should look different on the road itself.

A temporary crossing on the A3083

Cornwall Council has given permission for a temporary pedestrian crossing with traffic lights to be installed on the main road while the survey work is under way.

The bigger closure, expected in mid-November

Around mid-November, timing dependent on what the repairs turn up and on the weather, one lane of the A3083 will need to close under traffic lights so repairs can be carried out to the underside of the bridge. That closure is expected to last around five weeks.

What Culdrose is doing to soften the disruption

Captain James Hall, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, said the base is taking steps to keep the impact on the community as low as possible.

“You have my assurance that we are taking all possible steps to reduce any impact to the community,” he said. “This includes cancelling all unnecessary journeys between each side of the base, changing the way we work and our working patterns, and increasing the frequency of our internal bus service.”

The bridge work comes as Culdrose approaches its 80th anniversary next year, and alongside a separate multi-million pound rebuilding programme already under way at the base.

“As we approach our 80th anniversary next year, I am reminded of how important the local community is to us here at RNAS Culdrose in ensuring we can continue to serve our country,” Captain Hall said. “The repairs to the bridge, alongside the extensive multi-million pound rebuilding of the base which is currently underway, will mean that RNAS Culdrose will have the ability to continue to defend the nation for decades to come.”

“I thank you in advance for your understanding and patience,” he added.