Whitby swing bridge repairs begin

The Swing Bridge was built in 1909 and long-term maintenance has now transferred to North Yorkshire County Council and work will begin next week to prepare for a £250,000 upgrade.

As part of the work being carried out over the next two weeks, computerised technology that runs the bridge, is being updated so that faults can be tracked and located precisely in order to prevent failure and speed up repairs.

Contractors will install a new router and wireless equipment which will allow remote access so diagnostic checks can be carried out. The authority says this means that should the bridge fail in future, engineers will know immediately which spares will be needed.

To allow the works to be carried out the bridge will be closed to traffic overnight on September 19 and 20 between 9.30pm and 6am. It will remain open to pedestrains.

The £250,000 upgrade of the bridge is then planned to get underway at the start of October which will involve replacing of timber fenders, creating footways to allow the bridge to be more easily maintained and the raising of electrical junction boxes on the underside of the bridge above the waterline to prevent breakdowns

The bridge will remain operational for the most part while the work, due to last nine weeks, takes place.