An essential repair scheme designed to strengthen the historic road bridge at Stamford Bridge, near York, is due to begin on Monday 20 May.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to invest £350,000 in repairing and improving road safety on the Grade II listed structure, following years of damage.
Unavoidably, the single-lane bridge will need to be closed to traffic from 20 May for between eight-to-10 weeks to allow for the work to be carried out by council contractors. It means the road will potentially be closed throughout June and most of July.
For the duration of the project a temporary signed diversion will be put in place for traffic travelling along the popular A166 Driffield to York route.
The neighbouring footbridge will stay open during the scheme to allow pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to still cross over.
Built in 1727 – making it almost 300 years old – the 80m-long bridge over the River Derwent has been struck in a number of traffic accidents in recent years, causing severe damage to its parapets.
The council has had to install temporary safety barriers on the bridge because of damage caused.
As part of the repair scheme, rows of stone bricks on parapets on both sides of the bridge will be replaced by similar local stone, sourced from Whitby, and the walls will be strengthened.
Warning bollards will also be installed on approach to the bridge to indicate its width with the aim of preventing further strikes.
The scheme will be carried out on behalf of the council by contractor Esh Construction and will involve the workforce working longer hours and some weekends in order to keep the length of the closure to a minimum.
As a result of the bridge closure, the council has been liaising with bus companies regarding public transport, and has also been working on school transport arrangements to cater for the weeks before the summer holidays.
The council will also continue to work with local parish and ward councillors throughout the project.
Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said:
“We do understand this will cause major disruption for the village, but unfortunately, we don’t have any other option but to close the bridge to allow us to carry out this essential work.
“The bridge is badly in need of repair and strengthening because of the damage that’s been caused and we can’t leave it any longer.
“But after it’s complete, we will be left with a much stronger bridge that is designed to prevent further damage from happening.”
The official signed diversion will be in place for all traffic, especially for larger vehicles, although quicker local routes will be available.
Traffic management including traffic lights and speed restrictions will be placed on smaller local roads not part of the official diversion but are likely to be used during the closure.
Because of the diversion, drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and set off earlier to avoid delays, as some alternative routes may be busier, especially at rush hours.
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