Essential works to ensure the future of the bridge at Rawcliffe Bridge start on Monday (17 June)

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has announced that essential work to strengthen the post-tensioned bridge over the Dutch River at Rawcliffe Bridge will be starting on Monday, 17 June, 2019.

For reasons of public safety, and to allow the work to take place in a safe and efficient manner, it will be necessary to close the bridge to all traffic for the duration of the work. However, provision will be made for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the bridge safely. A signed diversion route will be in place for all traffic whilst the works are being carried out.

The work is expected to be completed by March, 2020, when the bridge will reopen to all vehicles, travelling in single file under a traffic light priority system.

The work will be costing £600,000 and will be carried out by the council’s contractor, PBS Construction (North East) Ltd, a local civil engineering contractor.

Principal engineer,  Mike Ball, explained : “Over the next few months, we are strengthening the sub structure of the bridge, re-waterproofing and resurfacing the bridge deck, re-tensioning the vehicle restraint system, and carrying out repairs to the parapets,  as well as installing  permanent traffic lights.”

The works became necessary after defects were discovered which meant the bridge would not be safe in the future to carry any vehicle heavier than a car. The bridge has until recently been closed to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, and has previously been closed to all traffic from October, 2017 to 29 March, 2018 .

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesperson added : “We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this final phase of the works. However, these works will ensure that this bridge will be able to remain open in the future. We realise that a long closure period will affect regular motorists across the bridge, but ask for their patience whilst we carry out these works.”