York’s first new bridge over the River Ouse for 138 years is nearly completed.
City leaders were among the first to cross Scarborough Bridge today (Tuesday, 19 March) ahead of its public opening next month.
The £4.4m scheme aims to boost access for people travelling by bike or on foot between the railway station and the city centre.
City of York Council transport lead Cllr Peter Dew said the design “gives a nod to York’s Viking heritage, with the bridge’s ‘ribs’ in the style of a Viking longship, but also which complements the adjacent railway bridge, being constructed of the same ‘weathering steel’ which gives it its distinct colour”.
Healthy and cheap
The bridge, which is used by more than 3,000 people a day, has been shut since January 26 for improvement works and it was due to reopen on March 18.
But poor weather has slowed progress. It is now due to open in mid-April, and fully finished in May.
And here we are first look at the mew Scarborough Bridge #york footpath @minsterfm @CityofYork pic.twitter.com/OfodAYzzCM
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) March 19, 2019
The new Scarborough Bridge footbridge is much close to the railway. #york @CityofYork @minsterfm pic.twitter.com/3sEgB7IRyT
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) March 19, 2019
Cllr Kim Groves of the WYCA said:
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We’re looking forward to seeing even more people making the most of the new wider bridge, which will improve access between the train station and city centre, benefitting residents, commuters and tourists travelling by bike or on foot and, importantly, people with mobility issues.
We know encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.
At 65-metres long the new bridge is three times as wide at 3.7m. It had to be lifted into place in four separate parts due to its size.