One year after Tadcaster Bridge partially collapsed, North Yorkshire County Council and its contractors are working round the clock to meet the revised reconstruction completion date of 27th January.
Although over the past few weeks there have inevitably been some issues, in particular with complicated detail elements of the bridge’s stone work, the County Council is working closely with the stone supplier and stone masons to meet the 27th January deadline. The stone supplier and masons will be working between Christmas and the New Year to help achieve this.
The 18th century grade two listed bridge is being reconstructed and widened with £3m from the Government and £1.4m from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership. The bridge was closed after its partial collapse due to the force of flood water from heavy rains last Christmas. The project is programmed to be open to traffic on the 27th of January.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Highways, added: “”We had hoped to have the bridge open again by the end of the year, and every effort was made to achieve that aim. Unfortunately, high water levels in the River Wharfe, along with the adverse impact of other works in the river, mean that we will miss the target date by 3-4 weeks.”
Once masons have completed work to the arch barrels, spandrel walls and pier and parapet masonry, contractors will construct the footway and lay the surfacing on the carriageway.
“Our contractors continue to work flat out to complete this complex, painstaking job but the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together and completion is in sight” said County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, member for Tadcaster.
“Tadcaster’s residents and businesses have been very patient and understanding and we share their disappointment at recent delays which have been outside our control. The town has shown great fortitude over this past, difficult year, and we have our fingers crossed for fairer weather in January.
“But given the high level of community spirit that exists in Tadcaster we can look to 2017 with optimism. With our reconstructed, newly widened bridge we can look forward to an exciting and prosperous year. We will have the Tour de Yorkshire starting in Tadcaster at the end of April and no doubt other opportunities will come along as the year progresses.”