East Riding Council is investing approximately £1 million to upgrade the 70-year-old Weel Bridge
(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
The reopening of Weel bridge in Beverley is to be delayed by a further few weeks to ensure sufficient time for installation, commissioning and safety checks. This means the household waste and recycling centre in Weel, East Yorkshire, will remain closed until the bridge is fully operational.
It marks the second delay announced. In July, engineers carrying out vital improvement work uncovered hidden defects resulting in the first set back.
In April, the 20-tonne structure was hoisted from its bearings and transported to Sheffield for specialist refurbishment by council contractor Esh Construction. However, as the work progressed, engineers uncovered crucial issues within the structure, which have been caused by corrosion over the years.
The contractor has experienced some supply chain issues because of the hidden faults. East Riding Council is investing approximately £1 million to upgrade the 70-year-old Weel Bridge.
A spokesperson for East Riding Council remained hopeful for quick progress this month and explained the project would soon be completed with the authority completing thorough safety checks before it reopens. “Weel Bridge is expected to return to Beverley in the next couple of weeks. It will then take a couple of weeks for the installation, commissioning and safety checks to be carried out, before it can reopen to the public.”
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The major overhaul currently being carried out is designed to strengthen and repair the bridge, improve safety and access for traffic, and extend its life. The work will also include the installation of a modern operating system and the creation of a new dedicated shared path across it for pedestrians and cyclists.
While the bridge has been off site, the contractor has taken advantage of the road closure to straighten the approach to the bridge to improve visibility and safety for vehicles, as well as creating a new shared footpath and cycleway.
The household waste and recycling centre will reopen when the bridge finally reopens to traffic. The council spokesperson added: “Thank you to residents and drivers for their patience while we complete the final touches to this scheme.” Residents are asked to continue to use the nearby household waste recycling sites at Hornsea, Driffield, Humberfield at North Ferriby or Market Weighton/Holme on Spalding Moor instead.
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