Camel Viaduct, Wadebridge - Phase Two Essential Maintenance commencing September 2026

Final surfacing works have now been completed on this first phase of the Camel Viaduct refurbishment. As a result, the safety barriers and current traffic management arrangements will be removed by the end of today, meaning that the Camel Viaduct will be open to two-way traffic as usual throughout the weekend. At this stage, there will be no permanent road markings in place, but the road will be fully open for vehicles in both directions, with signage in place.

After the weekend, temporary two-way traffic lights will be reinstated for a short period, to allow the team to safely undertake ducting works and complete the road markings. These activities are planned to take place early next week and are expected to be completed by close of Friday 1^st May, after which the traffic lights will be removed again.

We appreciate everyone’s continued patience while these final elements are completed.

Progress on the Camel Viaduct has continued since we last updated. Although somewhat affected by the persistent poor weather, a number of important activities have been completed. All waterproofing works were finished on 1^st April, which is a key milestone for the scheme. Kerbing works then took place and were finished by the 9^th, with gullies reinstated by 13^th April and sub-surface drainage also installed.

We have experienced some challenges in sourcing the correct type of tarmac and as a result, the current programme shows that we will complete this phase of the project by 1st May 2026, when the temporary traffic lights will be removed.

We know the ongoing disruption is frustrating and we’d like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their continued patience and understanding while this important refurbishment is completed.

The current phase of the works is highly dependent on suitable weather conditions. Each stage of the waterproofing must be completed in sequence, with every layer applied and fully cured before the next can begin. Only once this multi‑layer process is successfully finished can we move onto finishing works including laying kerbs, resurfacing the carriageway with asphalt, applying the road marking and footway works.

Despite the challenging weather we’ve experienced so far this year, the project has remained largely on track. However, due to the very specific environmental conditions required for the waterproofing process, combined with further stormy weather in recent weeks, we now expect the programme to extend slightly. At this stage, completion of the works is likely to fall during the week commencing 13 April. If the weather is kind and there is any opportunity to finish earlier, we will absolutely do so. Once the waterproofing and surfacing are complete, our team will remain on site to carry out footway works, but traffic will run in two narrowed lanes and the temporary traffic lights will be removed.

For the Easter weekend and the subsequent weekends, the traffic lights will be manually operated during daytime hours to help manage flow, and vehicle actuated outside working hours.

We’re very grateful to everyone for their continued patience while we carry out this essential maintenance.

Following assessment of the exposed bridge deck, all identified areas requiring repair have now been completed. Our team has since applied the primer, and the waterproofing process is now underway. As you would expect, progress now is fully dependent on suitable weather conditions. In particular, wind, rain and dew point can all affect the application and even distribution of the spray‑applied waterproofing system. We are closely monitoring conditions to ensure each stage is carried out safely, efficiently and to the required standard.

Kerbs are already on site and ready for installation. As soon as the waterproofing is fully complete and cured, we will begin reinstating the footway.

Following removal of the surfacing, our engineers have now completed a full assessment of the exposed bridge deck. A small number of areas have been identified as needing repair, and this work is scheduled to take place over the coming week.

Once these repairs are complete, we’ll begin the next sequence of works, including priming the bridge deck, applying the new waterproofing system, installing the kerb and then resurfacing the deck. This will complete the first phase of the programme and we’ll then move on to the next section of the bridge and repeat the process.

Significant progress has been made. With the original bridge deck now fully exposed, our teams are carrying out detailed condition surveys to assess whether any repairs are required before we move on to re-waterproofing and resurfacing.

Recent periods of severe weather have slowed operations slightly, but we continue to make good progress. We expect to begin applying the new waterproofing layer within the next two weeks. Once this stage is complete, kerbing and resurfacing works will follow.

The overall project remains on schedule and is on track for completion by the end of April 2026.

Work on the Camel Viaduct is progressing well, and the first phase of activity on site is now firmly underway. We have removed around 250 metres of the surface on the Wadebridge side of the carriageway, which includes taking up the old footway, ducting, and kerbs. Currently we’re removing the red sand “marker” layer, which sits above the bridge’s waterproofing and is proving more difficult to remove than anticipated. Because it has been in place for many years, this material has become very hard and well bonded to the waterproofing membrane, making it more difficult to lift than expected. Once this layer is cleared along the full length, we will begin removing the old waterproofing underneath.

As you would expect, the recent severe weather has slowed operations a little, but we are still making good progress and expect to begin preparing the bridge deck itself within the next two weeks. This will involve fine‑milling the concrete surface, followed by shot blasting and concrete repairs ready for the new waterproofing system to be applied.

The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.