Kes drops in to hold up viaduct work (From Warrington Guardian)

Kes drops in to hold up viaduct work

NESTING kestrels caused a temporary headache for construction workers on the Thelwall Viaduct who had to suspend work close to the birds' nests.

Four pairs of the birds, which are a protected species, have taken up residence and are raising their young on the £52 million structure.

But engineers were able to reschedule the work without causing further delays and the project is still on schedule to be completed in spring 2005.

David Brindle, Highways Agency project manager, said: "The bearing replacement programme is a hugely complex task, but we are happy to have been able to accommodate our feathered friends and they have become quite celebrities on site rearing their young."

The northbound viaduct was partially closed to traffic in July 2002 with all but one lane closed while 148 bearings were replaced.