A bridge too far? NYCC set to shut another major Selby route
Another week, another Selby road shut as NYCC says maintenance required on bypass bridge.
Selby
Selby residents are facing yet more traffic disruption later this month when a bridge on a major Selby highway is closed for weekend maintenance.
Maintenance crews from North Yorkshire County Council are set to close Selby Bypass' swing bridge between 6am on Saturday, September 19th and 6pm the following day as they complete a programme of annual maintenance.
Highways chiefs say the work is required to ensure that the bridge remains in good working order but the closure is likely to infuriate many Selebians who have already endured a year of delays, queues and closures throughout 2015.
The maintenance will carried out by a group of specialist contractors whose job it will be to ensure the bridge can open and close to river traffic whilst continuing to carry high volumes of traffic on a major arterial road.
NYCC say the annual maintenance has been delayed this year following the extensive reconstruction of a section of Selby Bypass during the spring.
During that time the bridge was in a state of 'lockdown' for six weeks whilst the deck was resurfaced. The annual maintenance process will require the bridge be opened and closed repeatedly, something that would not have been possible during the lockdown.
NYCC Executive Member for Highways, Cllr. Don Mackenzie (Con, NYCC Harrogate Saltergate) said, “We will ensure that this work is carried out as efficiently and quickly as possible to minimise any disruption,
“We are only too aware that the county council has carried out major highways maintenance projects in Selby over the last few months, including upgrading of the town centre toll bridge, but we need to maintain our transport infrastructure to the highest standards possible to keep the town and district on the move, for the benefit of both residents, local business and the travelling public.”
The Selebian understands that the work is set to include a full strip down and rebuild of the bridge's motor system, upgrades to a computer system that controls the its swinging systems, servicing of back-up generators as well as checks to all breaks, jacks, sensors and bearings.
Is it good news that the bridge is set for an upgrade or will the timing be harmful to town centre trade? Scroll down to have your say... (Android app users click here)