Scarborough bridge works take longer than first thought

This four-span high level bridge carries the A165 over the town’s famous Valley Ravine and is currently undergoing the first phase of works as part of a planned maintenance programme over a number of years.

During these extensive works the existing decorative balustrade and steel fence of the bridge have been dismantled and are to be fully refurbished with new, specialist, cast iron components including handrails and fascia panels and different cappings.

These components have been especially cast. The fencing and the balustrade will then be repainted to match the existing colour scheme.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said yesterday: “This most recent contract was due to be completed in January but additional repairs, only evident following the detailed dismantling of the bridge parapets, have delayed completion which is now planned for Easter.”

The existing bridge parapets have now been completely dismantled and either fully refurbished off site or had new parts manufactured to replace those parts that were beyond repair. Now that on site repairs are completed the parts are being re-erected and painted in their original colour scheme.

Further works to the structure are planned in future including, re-waterproofing and replacing the joints to maintain the ‘top’ of the structure, followed by repairs and repainting of the metalwork below.

North Yorkshire County Council said yesterday the bridge has remained open to traffic and pedestrians throughout the work apart from during the delivery and removal of materials.