Government will fund £3 Million Tadcaster bridge rebuild
£3 Million cost of Tadcaster bridge repair to be funded by government; £300k will provide temporary foot bridge.
Tadcaster
Details of a £3.3 million government funding package for the reconstruction of Tadcaster's collapsed bridge are set to be revealed in an announcement later today.
Ministerial Flood Recovery Envoy for Yorkshire Robert Goodwill MP will be in Tadcaster this morning with details of a deal brokered to secure the restoration of the Tadcaster Bridge and the construction of a temporary footbridge to reunite the town while work is carried out.
The deal will enable North Yorkshire County Council to make urgent repairs to the 300-year-old listed bridge that had stood partially collapsed since severe flooding hit the town in the wake of storms Eva and Frank. Structural assessments and underwater surveys have already been undertaken on site, despite challenging conditions, as the authority makes preparations for work to begin.
Working with the local landowner, the plan is for a pre-assembled temporary footbridge to provide residents with a means of access between both sides of the Wharfe whilst construction gets underway on the main bridge. The temporary bridge will be built by a British firm.
The temporary bridge will supplement existing foot access across the old railway viaduct. Urgent improvements are currently taking place on the viaduct to enable it to cope with the increased use.
The Selebian understands that Robert Goodwill will announce, “The floods in Yorkshire have been devastating for residents and businesses across the county and we have seen the partial collapse of the Tadcaster bridge split the community in two.
“We have made the repair of the bridge a national priority and I am pleased to announce that today we are providing £3.3 million to restore this important route. I am determined to ensure I do everything I can to help and this is an important step in keeping the recovery effort on track in Yorkshire.”
The government and North Yorkshire County Council have worked together closely, with support from military and Highways England experts to finalise plans.
Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council said, “We are very pleased that the government are providing their support and that we have this early confirmation that the government will fund the cost of the work to reconnect the local community. We want to get life in Tadcaster back to normal as quickly as possible.”