It was a very badly kept secret, everyone knew it was going to happen, but Network Rail have confirmed today (see their press release) that the A338 will remain open during the electrification works to the railway. Public pressure was brought to bear after Network Rail originally announced plans to close the bridge for several months. The new plan is to build a new bridge along side the existing structure and then to demolish the old bridge only once the new one is open. Network Rail are still warning of some minor distruptions, but nothing on the scale of what was originally proposed. I am delighted that the campaign by the Vale of White Horse District Council, the County Council and our MP Ed Vaizey, not to mention the hundreds of residents who voiced their concerns, has paid off. Network Rail have been forced to see sense and make provision to keep the road network open whilst improving the rail network. Unfortunately such solutions don't seem to be possible everywhere. The A417 at Challow is currently closed and due to be for several months to come. Steventon Bridge is also due to be closed which will cause particularly acute traffic problems, but the position of the bridge makes a solution similar to that in Grove almost impossible.