The historic Stamford Bridge in East Yorkshire has reopened after Esh Construction completed work to repair and restore the structure ahead of programme.
The single-track bridge on the A166 between Driffield and York reopened today (Friday, July 12th) after Esh’s team worked longer days and weekend hours to minimise disruption for local residents.
Built in 1727 – making it almost 300 years old – the 80m-long bridge over the River Derwent had been struck in several traffic accidents in recent years, causing severe damage to its stone parapets, with East Riding of Yorkshire Council investing £350,000 in repairing the Grade II listed bridge.
Esh’s civil engineering division was awarded the contract through YORHub’s YORcivil2 Framework. Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction said: “We understood the importance of completing the essential repairs as quickly as possible from the outset owing to the significant impact on the local community.
“Working collaboratively with our client, the site team and sub-contractors, we have been able to complete the works and reopen the bridge two weeks ahead of schedule. This marks the second project we have completed ahead of programme through collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, having completed the emergency repair and strengthening of Bubwith bridge last year.”
Due to the age and listed status of the bridge, the repairs needed to be sympathetic to the existing structure and its surroundings and required a specialist workforce and materials. The work involved rebuilding damaged sections of the bridge, with rows of large stone bricks on the parapets having to be replaced and a large cantilever scaffold system being used to move the heavy stones into position. Stainless steel rods were attached to parapets as they were rebuilt to provide extra strength and flexibility while lime mortar was used to repoint large and deep areas of the structure.
Warning bollards were installed on both ends of the bridge with traffic lighting being upgraded to a more energy-efficient traffic signal system.
During the project, a temporary diversion was put in place for traffic travelling along the A166 route, diverting traffic on to the A1079. Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m extremely pleased Esh Construction have been able to complete this work and reopen the bridge much earlier than planned.
“We know the closure has caused a big inconvenience to many people, but we had no option, we simply couldn’t carry out these repairs without doing it. But I know people will be delighted to see it open again. Thank you for bearing with us.
“This has been a major investment for the village and our contractors have done a fantastic job in returning the bridge back to its former glory and making it structurally sound for the future.”
In August 2023, Esh also completed repairs to Bubwith bridge ahead of programme The scheme in Bubwith saw Esh deliver emergency repair and strengthening works after the bridge, which carries the A163 over the River Derwent, was hit by a car in September 2022, causing significant damage to the headwall and parapet.
Working collaboratively with our client, the site team and sub-contractors, we have been able to complete the works and reopen the bridge two weeks ahead of schedule. This marks the second project we have completed ahead of programme through collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, having completed the emergency repair and strengthening of Bubwith bridge last year.”
