Fore Gill Bridge: Collapsed Yorkshire Dales bridge reopens after £2.2m rebuild
A bridge in the Yorkshire Dales has undergone a £2.2m rebuild after collapsing in an incident which local residents thought was an earthquake.
Fore Gill Bridge, in the hamlet of Arkle Town, Arkengarthdale, reopened this week. It partially collapsed on New Year’s Eve in 2023 following heavy rain from Storm Gerrit.
North Yorkshire Council’s bridges team completed a temporary repair to stabilise the road in early January 2024 and ensure it could remain open until permanent repairs could be completed.
A temporary road was constructed to ensure remote communities were not cut off. Work to rebuild the bridge started in April this year.
The new structure features walls made with soil reinforced with synthetic material and a new masonry arch, designed to accommodate a wider road with increased load-carrying capacity.
Stone from the original structure was reused with a style in-keeping with traditional bridges in the Yorkshire Dales.
Around 1,500 tonnes of the original stone was also used and incorporated back into the structure.
Councillor Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways and transport, said: “As the country’s largest county, we have a vast road network, 74 per cent of which is rural, and there are hundreds of historic bridges that need maintaining.
“The repair scheme of Fore Gill Bridge is a great example of our staff and contractors pulling together to work quickly in acting to prevent a lengthy closure, and designing the repairs needed.
“We have been fortunate this year with mild, dry weather, to be on site for long periods of time. It’s vital to secure the long-term future of this vital rural route.”
Ron Woolford and his wife, who live in the closest property to the bridge, praised the efforts of engineers.
He said: “When the bridge fell, we thought an earthquake had happened during the night, and it was no surprise when we saw the scale of the damage.
“I’ve been so impressed with the council’s staff and contractors who have kept me and other residents in the loop as to what is going on.
“They have been hard workers doing what is a very difficult job, and I think the bridge looks better than the original.
“They worked long days and there was no great disruption, particularly with the diversion in place. My wife has made the workers tea and cake, which they were very grateful for.”
Fore Gill Bridge was originally constructed in about 1770 as part of the Reeth to Tan Hill turnpike. It serves as a key link between Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.
Coun Yvonne Peacock, who represents the Upper Dales division, added: “The rural nature of the Yorkshire Dales means that we regularly experience extreme weather, testing all elements of our roads network.
“There are several stone-built bridges in the area, many of which date back hundreds of years. The collapse at Fore Gill Bridge could have been very disruptive, but the effort of the bridges team deserves recognition.
“The community was relieved the temporary road was built before the bridge was demolished, as it meant that the works could be completed without causing traffic disruption.”