Residents, businesses and passengers can find out more about the refurbishment of Scarborough rail bridge (York) this week, as the team behind the work holds an open day.
Scarborough Railway Bridge
On Thursday, 4 December, between 10am and 7pm, at the site offices in Marygate car park, Frederic Street (YO30 7DT), anyone who is interested in the work is encouraged to come along, ask questions and find out more. Attendees can speak to the people running this major project about the plans, the work being undertaken and how long it’s going to take.
The £6m investment is the most significant since the bridge was built in 1875 and, once complete, will mean that the bridge is fit for another 120 years’ service. Work will involve replacing bridge decks, track and installing a new walkway for railway workers. The project is due to complete in April 2015.
Network Rail and City of York Council are also exploring potentially redesigning the public footbridge – which is next to Scarborough Bridge – and are working to make sure the newly-refurbished rail bridge takes account of these possible redesigns.
However, any work to the footbridge will not take place at the same time of the rail bridge refurbishment. This is because they are independent structures, and the work programme for the rail bridge is complex and already underway.
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “The Scarborough Bridge has given good service for 140 years but is now due refurbishment. Once these improvements are complete, many parts of the bridge will not need any further work for decades. We will have people working on site every day to get this work finished.
“This is a complex project as the bridge spans the River Ouse and is in the middle of a residential area with narrow streets as well as being close to several important rail lines. We have worked very closely with City of York Council and First TransPennine Express to minimise the impact of the work on both local residents and the travelling public. I thank them for their patience while we undertake these essential works.”
When the bridge’s decks are replaced in February 2015, trains will not be able to run over the bridge. The new decks will be installed from Marygate car park using a large crawler crane.
This is being carefully managed between Network Rail and First TransPennine Express, and buses will replace trains between York and Scarborough from 14 to 22 February 2015; during the school half-term holidays. More detailed information will be issued over the coming weeks.
Anna-Jane Hunter, from First TransPennine Express, said: “We are working with Network Rail to minimise the disruption caused by the improvement works and put in place the best possible journey options for customers.
“Express coaches will replace rail services between York and Scarborough and we will shortly be issuing updated timetables and customer information posters.
“We would advise customers to check before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journey. Full details of the improvements works and alternative arrangements will be available from National Rail Enquiries.”
As part of the work, it was necessary to remove some trees and vegetation from the railway embankment immediately north east of the bridge, but these will be replaced with a replanting scheme after the work finishes in the spring of 2015, which has been approved by the Bootham 2025 project. A full ecological study has been carried out.
Network Rail has planned this work closely with the Canal and Rivers Trust, Natural England and Environment Agency, securing the necessary permissions. This is because the River Ouse will need to be closed to river traffic for certain times while the works are undertaken.
The footpaths under the bridge and footbridge which is attached to the rail bridge will need to be closed at various times next February for safety purposes. This will be kept to a minimum where possible.