Following investigations yesterday (Thursday 24 November), Bubwith Bridge will now be closed until Thursday 1 December for urgent safety work to be carried out.
The bridge will then reopen with a three-tonne weight restriction and a 2.2m width restriction to further protect the structure.
The work by East Riding of Yorkshire Council is necessary because of poor weather over the past few days, which has weakened parts of the bridge, and the potential for large and heavy vehicles to cause further damage.
The bridge was damaged in a road accident.
Work to be carried out will include the installation of a sandbag headwall and the placement of concrete barriers covering the hole left in the parapet, followed by the traffic restrictions being brought in.
This is intended to secure the bridge for the winter months, although it will be regularly monitored.
While the work is carried out, a temporary signed diversion will be in place, taking traffic via Holme on Spalding Moor, the A164 to Howden, A63 to Barlby, then back on the A613, and vice versa during the full closure.
The car park and picnic area will also be closed until 1 December.
When the bridge reopens, a diversion for all vehicles greater than three tonnes will then be put in place thereafter, until a later date when full repairs of Bubwith Bridge can be completed.
Adam Holmes, director of infrastructure and facilities at the council said: “I’d like to apologise to motorists for this longer than expected bridge closure, but our investigations have shown that more work is needed to make the bridge safe and secure for the winter.
“The road accident and the recent poor weather have weakened the structure, so this work is necessary so we can strengthen it enough to enable traffic to use it again.”
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