Council confirms Harrogate bridge is damaged again

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed a historic bridge in a Harrogate village has been damaged — just days after it reopened.

Grade two-listed Hampsthwaite Bridge, which was initially constructed in 1598, closed suddenly on June 2 for £60,000 repairs.

it reopened on September 7 but concerns were raised when a photo appeared on social media of a large JCB crossing the bridge.

Phil Richardson, the council’s bridges manager, said today:

“One of the parapets on Hampsthwaite Bridge has been damaged and we are currently considering what action needs to be taken.

“We will be carrying out a thorough inspection of the bridge and will update the public as soon as possible.”

The council’s inspection confirms the findings of local resident and retired engineer Martin Weston, who checked the bridge after reading concerns about the JCB crossing.

Mr Weston told the Stray Ferret the parapet walls had been pushed out and loosened over a six-metre section.

He reported his findings to Hampsthwaite Parish Council, which forwarded them on to North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority.

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Harrogate village bridge set for lengthy closure

A Harrogate village bridge looks set to be closed to traffic for a long time after a large crack appeared.

North Yorkshire Council closed the bridge on Church Lane in Hampsthwaite suddenly and without warning on Friday.

It acted after a two-inch wide gap appeared at the side of the bridge, prompting safety concerns. It was possible to look through the gap and see the River Nidd.

In an update today the council said 15 metres of the parapet, which is the safety barrier, on the damaged side of the wall needed to be rebuilt.

No timescale or cost was given but the scale of the work indicates long-term closure is likely.

The update did, however, say plans were being drawn up for pedestrians to use the undamaged side of the bridge, which joins Hampsthwaite and Clint.

Hampsthwaite bridge

The crack in the bridge

It is not yet known if cyclists will be permitted to cross.

The cause of the problem remains unknown.

The statement said:

“Following an onsite assessment by engineers we are able to confirm that the parapet has been pushed out over the edge of the bridge deck and this has damaged several of the corbels that support from beneath.

“These need to be repaired and 15 metres of the parapet taken down and rebuilt using hot lime mortar.

“The bridge will remain closed to traffic – due to ongoing safety concerns and the fact the bridge is narrow – until the repairs can be completed. Engineers are working on a scheme and aiming to get contractors on site to start them in July.

“Plans are currently being drawn up to open a section across the bridge, on the opposite side to the damaged parapet, to allow safe crossing for pedestrians.”

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