Calls for Whitby Swing Bridge to be replaced and made fit for purpose
Whitby Swing Bridge has broken down a number of times recently
Last updated 27th Sep 2021
There are calls for Whitby Swing Bridge to be replaced and made fit for purpose for the 21st century.
It is after a number of times recently where it has become stuck, causing chaos in the town as a knock-on effect.
North Yorkshire County Council, or the future single unitary authority, are being urged to seriously consider improving the bridge.
Phil Trumper, Scarborough Borough Councillor in Whitby, said:
"I think it's important that we start having a conversation now about replacing it instead of waiting until it's too late. I mean it's not just breaking down once a year, it's breaking down all the time. I mean last week it broke down three times and when it breaks down it affects people's lives, so I think really North Yorkshire County Council needs to start discussing a replacement.
"If you live on the west side then you've got to go over the new bridge which is further up the river. If you're elderly or disabled it's quite difficult so then people have to order taxis but getting a taxi at the moment is quite difficult so it's just affecting people's lives in that way.
"It affects the livelihoods of business owners and I mean the last time it had a catastrophic failure, it was closed for about six to seven weeks I believe. I think it was about 10 years ago or maybe longer but the businesses on the east side especially were really affected by that. It's just not acceptable in this day and age really. We need something which works properly.
"It can't go on as it is, it can't keep breaking down, it needs constant maintenance and it's not going to get any better so we need to start thinking seriously and get a bridge that works. It's the main artery of the town and when it closes it just affects everybody who lives and works down there and tourism as well."
John D Smith, bridges and design services manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Whitby Swing Bridge has recently undergone a major refurbishment and is serviced regularly and while we acknowledge we have had two breakdowns in the fairly recent past, we do not believe a full replacement is necessary.
“The bridge had one breakdown in July when a limit switch failed on the East Leaf of the bridge. This was swiftly replaced and tested by engineers and no other faults were found.
“The latest issue has been caused by a lack of grease to the mechanism on the East abutment; this has now been remedied.
“We are investigating claims that the bridge is out of balance and if this is the case we will address it. However, at its six months service in June no faults were found and no recommendations made at that time.
“We fully recognize the central importance of the swing bridge to the economy of Whitby and since taking on the responsibility for its maintenance we have invested heavily and effectively in upgrades and a computer monitoring system so that engineers can see a fault immediately and bring the spares needed for a repair if we do not have them in stock.
“This bridge is sited in an extreme environment and operates everyday on two tides - more than any of the other moving bridges that we maintain and like all complicated machinery it will fail from time to time.
“We apologise for the disruption that any failure of the bridge causes to the harbour, trade and tourism, but every effort is being made to insure that the bridge operates to its best efficiency.”