Progress on Whitby Swing Bridge repair work
New components for
Whitby Swing Bridge which were flown in from Italy are being fitted
to the historic structure today.
The bridge has remained closed while our
contractors fit the new gearbox parts to the western arm of the
bridge.
These will be fully tested tomorrow in
conjunction with other systems on the bridge including hydraulics
and electrics.
We continue to put every possible effort into
getting the swing bridge re-opened quickly and are confident that
by tomorrow teatime, that will be the case.
We are still providing shuttle bus services
that are operating between the two sides of the town and will
continue to do so until the bridge is fully operational.
This service is free to the public and will
operate approximately every seven minutes from 6am to midnight
throughout the period of the bridge closure.
Appropriate signing has been provided at the
bridge and elsewhere to direct people to the temporary bus service,
which is available from the Bus Station on Victoria Square on the
west side of the river and from Mister Chips on Church Street on
the east side of the river.
Council officers continue to be drafted in
from other parts of the borough in an ambassadorial capacity and
are on site directing residents and visitors to the shuttle bus
services and helping to provide general information about the
current situation.
Private entrepreneurs, independently of the
council, are continuing to ferry passengers across the river and
they are currently charging £1 for this service.
Officers from North Yorkshire Police are
assisting with traffic management.
John Riby, Head of Technical Services said: “I
want to again express my gratitude for the patience and
understanding which is being shown during this inconvenient
time.
“We are on target to have the bridge reopened by tomorrow
teatime.”