Crossrail work to close Horlicks Bridge in Slough

The bridge is named after the nearby Horlicks factory

Drivers are expected to face delays as a major road bridge in Berkshire closes for five months as part of the Crossrail project.

Work to replace Horlicks Bridge at Stoke Poges Lane in Slough will shut off all access until April.

Network Rail said the removal of the bridge would also "generate noise throughout the Christmas period".

Crossrail will link Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Subway security guard

As well as the bridge closure, roads between Lansdowne Avenue and the Horlicks Factory at Simpson Way will also be closed, with a diversion in place.

Network Rail has put a security guard at the nearby subway on the pedestrian diversion route during hours of darkness.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the tracks would be prepared for the bridge removal on Christmas Eve and continue day and night until 28 December.

Daytime works planned for between 08:00 and 18:00 GMT on 27, 28 and 29 December will include the cutting up and removal of the existing steel bridge beams and the bringing in of materials to start reconstruction from 5 January.

Slough Borough Council said some delays were expected.

Network Rail said: "We will do our best to minimise the impact of our work on local residents."