Bridge reopening delayed by 'hidden defects'

3 hours ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Defects were found after engineers started work on Weel Bridge in Beverley

East Riding of Yorkshire Council A crane prepares to lift a 20-tonne section of Weel Bridge which spans the River Hull. The grey metal structure is set against a blue sky. Construction vehicles are visible in the distance. — Defects were found after engineers started work on Weel Bridge in Beverley

The reopening of a 20-tonne bridge which has undergone a £1m renovation has been delayed after "hidden defects" were found by engineers.

Weel Bridge, in Beverley, was built in 1953 and removed from the banks of the River Hull for repairs on 18 April.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) said the bridge was taken for specialist refurbishment in Sheffield but as works progressed "crucial new issues within the aluminium structure, which have been caused by corrosion" were found.

The council said the bridge would reopen in August once extra repairs and safety checks had been carried out.

The 72-year-old bridge carries traffic over the River Hull, between Beverley and the village of Weel.

The 20-tonne bridge was taken to Sheffield in April to undergo specialist refurbishment

East Riding of Yorkshire Council A metal bridge being lifted by crane cables. The grey structure is suspended in the air against a clear blue sky. — The 20-tonne bridge was taken to Sheffield in April to undergo specialist refurbishment

The delay will mean the nearby Weel Household Waste Recycling site will remain closed until the bridge reopens, the council said.

Residents have been advised to use recycling sites at Hornsea, Driffield, Hessle or Market Weighton instead.

The bridge was due to be closed for three months, with diversion routes in place along Weel Road and the A1035 Bridlington to Beverley Road.

Councillor Paul West, ERYC's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We are sorry not to be able to reopen the bridge as we planned in July, but there's no way we can avoid this.

"These issues were hidden from sight when the initial inspections were carried out when the bridge was still in place."

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