VIDEO: How flood-damaged Leeds bridge will return to use

It has been out of use since being badly damaged in late December, when parts of Yorkshire were ravaged by floods.
Linton Bridge. Picture: Peter LangfordLinton Bridge. Picture: Peter Langford
Linton Bridge. Picture: Peter Langford

But council bosses say Linton Bridge, between Linton and Collingham, north of Leeds, will be open to the public again by next summer after repairs costing £4.5m are carried out.

And a video released by Leeds City Council this weekend shows the work which has now begun to put in place a temporary support system which will make the bridge safe for the permanent repairs.

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As shown in the animation, a complex temporary arch support system is now being installed.

This phase is expected to be completed by the end of October and will allow engineers to carry out the permanent repairs safely.

The permanent repairs will involve the use of concrete piles and slabs being installed within the bridge to restore the bridge to structural strength capable of accommodating vehicles and pedestrians again.

The final phase will see the damaged arches repaired, the parapets rebuilt and the footway and carriageway reconstructed.

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The Grade II-listed structure, which carries traffic between Linton and Collingham over the River Wharfe, has been closed since December 27 after suffering significant damage to its foundations.

Last month Leeds City Council approved spending of up to £4.5million on repairs, to be carried out with support of Historic England, to retain the bridge’s original appearance.

The bridge remains closed, but a free temporary shuttle bus service has now been enhance.

Arranged by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), an additional service will now be running every Friday and Saturday night between The Windmill Inn and Collingham via Wetherby.

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Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “This new animated video shows the work to be carried out at Linton Bridge over the next few weeks and also demonstrates the complexity involved which makes this repair such a challenging and difficult project.

“I am very pleased that the new bus service will be running from tonight to show that as we said previously we are determined to do everything we can to help limit the impact of the closure on the surrounding communities and local businesses.”