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18
Sept 2023
Harrogate bridge may not be demolished after all
Oak Beck Bridge in Harrogate may not be demolished and replaced after all.
North Yorkshire County Council received planning permission to destroy the existing structure on Skipton Road and build a new one in November 2021.
It said the £1 million project was necessary because the current bridge was in poor condition.
Howard Civil Engineering was due to start the 24-week scheme in January last year.
But in June last year, council bridges manager Philip Richardson said the scheme had been delayed due to “unforeseen circumstances” and the council was still in talks with Yorkshire Water.
Mr Richardson gave an almost identical response when the Stray Ferret asked for an update in April this year, adding "please be assured that we will begin work as soon as we are able".
With no sign of progress five months later, the Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded North Yorkshire County Council this year, for another update.
Mr Richardson said
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Although this does not rule out replacing the bridge, it indicates this is no longer the only option.
The Stray Ferret asked why it no longer appeared necessary to replace the bridge as it had been deemed unsafe.
A council spokesperson said:
The bridge is located near the junction with Ripon Road at New Park — close to where the new Tesco supermarket is due to be built.
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