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Friday, 3rd September 2010

COMMENT ON THIS STORY - Whitby swing bridge 'to be open by Friday'

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Published Date: 21 July 2010
By Alex Fredman
WHITBY'S 100-year-old swing bridge will be open by Friday, it is hoped.
And you can tell us exactly what you think about the ongoing swing bridge scenario - please comment below.

Scarborough Borough Council has ordered the replacement part which is due to be flown from Italy at a cost of £25,
000.

The part is due to be installed on Thursday when the bridge will be tested and if all goes to plan, a council spokesman said it will be operational by Friday.

The council also arranged for a shuttle bus to transport people to and from the East and West sides of the town, when it became apparent the fault with the bridge was more serious than at first thought.

That is being increased to two shuttle buses.

The service is free to the public and will operate approximately every seven minutes throughout the period of the bridge closure. The shuttle buses will run from 6am to midnight.

Appropriate signing has been provided at the bridge and elsewhere to direct people to the temporary bus service, which is available from the bus station.

In addition, some of the locally based ferries are operating between both banks of the river as an alternative to the shuttle bus.

On Friday last week, engineers diagnosed that the problem was most likely linked to a mechanical breakdown with the gearbox of the western leaf of the bridge.

This leaf is stuck in the open position, closing the bridge and making it inaccessible to pedestrians and vehicles.

The closure comes right at the start of the school summer holidays, costing traders thousands of pounds.

John Riby, the council's head of technical services said: "We have been working extremely hard to diagnose and fix the problem with the swing bridge since it jammed open last week.

"We realise it has caused inconvenience to residents, traders and visitors to Whitby and I would like to thank people for their patience and understanding.

"Since the bridge developed the fault, we have been trying hard to keep people up to speed with developments, both on our website and through the local media and will continue to do so.

"We are also continuing to stress that shops and businesses on the east and west sides of Whitby are still very much open."

The swing bridge can be observed live on the webcam by clicking here



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  • Last Updated: 26 July 2010 2:03 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Whitby
 
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1

Every Little Helps Destroy Town Centres,

26/07/2010 21:04:00
What a shambles of a council we have, if they really cared about the town they would cut it free and then maybe it would once again prosper.
2

Every Little Helps Destroy Town Centres,

26/07/2010 21:07:19
Wonder how much compensation they intend to pay out, oh no, they have spent every last penny in where else but scarborough!!!
3

whitbybornand bred,

Whitby 27/07/2010 10:29:32
When the high level bridge was first built it was planned to install a footbridge at Boghall over the weir, but for some reason it didn't happen. If that had been done we would have had an alternative which didn't involve walking too far, a pleasant stroll along the marina and on the flat.
Maybe its time that the bridge was sold, scrapped or moved to Peasholm Park where we can put SBC's officers on it and let the battleships use it as target practice. We could manage with a pedestrian only bridge which lifted up.
4

spy,

27/07/2010 10:50:35
Wow! That's a blast from the past.

#3 has re-awakened a long lost memory. I remember walking down from Eskdale (must have be 11ish - 1980) to meet my Dad near the old council site (Whitehall). I remember talk of the bridge - Whitehall to near Bog hall junction, where the boats are now.
5

spy,

27/07/2010 10:51:58
Agreed. They need a new bridge. How many updates to 'last a 100 years' has the bridge had in the last 20 years.

Or, my preferred option, close it to traffic.
6

Watchm@n,

whitby 27/07/2010 12:29:13
The bridge is well past its sell-by date and will never be reliable, infact the likelyhood of further break-downs with prolonged closure is a high probablity.

This is very bad for commerce on the East side, pedestrian access is absolutely paramount.

What Whitby does not need is a road bridge at this point..Access for commercial delivery vehicles is well provided for via the high level bridge.

It is high time that plans were made to replace the swing bridge with a modern, hydraulically operated single span swing or lift bridge, operated by the press of a single button from the harbour watch keepers office.

There is absolutely no need for a shift system employing teams of men to operate such a bridge. The savings in wages and pension payments over a twenty year period would pay for a replacement.

With the adsvent of CCTV and automated safety devices, such a bridge can be safely operated by a single person. Any one doubting this should visit the Harlepool marina lock gate system.

The present bridge and its opening times is inadequate for the harbour users needs. The present freedom enjoyed by all marina users during this time has been a revelation.

This proves beyond doubt that a modern lightweight pedestrian bridge, with a simple and safe operating system can provide many benefits, not only for boat owners but for all the township.

Elliminating the movement of all but the most essential of traffic from the New Quay road, Saint Annes Staith and Pier Road provides a much safer and relaxed environment for all pedestrians. This area of the town should be designated as a traffic free zone with strict controls for entry. The loss of a few parking spaces on Khyber Pass is irrelevant.

7

Wannabe locals,

Nearly Whitby 27/07/2010 20:37:46
The only word I can find to discribe the 'Shuttle Buss' which the council have layed on is Shambles.

We were in Whitby last week when the brige broke and tried to use the bus service to return from the East side on Friday 23rd arriving at the bus stop at 8pm to await the service which was advertised on the swing bridge as being every 15 minutes from 6:30am until midnight contradicted by the West side bus stop which showed the service running between 12pm and 11:30pm) so either way we should have comfortably made the bus. Having waited for over 1 hour and 20 minutes we decided we had no alternative but to catch the boat which was opperating costing me £4 for the 4 of us to cross. Money well spent just to end the nightmare of getting back to the West side. Should I now be sending an invoice to SBC for payment as they were incompetant in ensuring that Arriva operated the service efficently ??????
What would we have done without the Fishermen ???!!!Thanks guys!!!
8

whitbybornand bred,

Whitby 28/07/2010 13:30:32
I think that everyone who has had to pay to cross the river during this period should send their receipt/bill to the council for reimbursement. They get car allowances maybe they can accept a reduced rate for a while so that you can get paid.
Even if you don't getpaid, at least it will tell SBC how many people have been inconvienced in both time and money.
9

Nigel Ward,

FREE WHITBY 28/07/2010 19:14:07
No surprise that Whitby Town (Parish) Council has been unable to offer any contribution during this totally unnecessary hiatus. Scarborough Borough Council has been derelict in its duty to maintain Whitby's infrastructure since day one - 1st April 1974. NYCC has failed to deliver any semblance of a Traffic Management Plan for Whitby, despite wasting a fortune on 'consultations' with self-appointed 'groups' allegedly representing (though not elected by) the people of Whitby.

And yet the obvious is staring us in the face:

Immediate PEDESTRIANIZATION of the town centre.

If Whitby people are unable to rally together, the town will embark on an irreversible decline. Now is the time for unity. Whitby MUST start to fight for Whitby - the hospital will be the next casualty - and the first step is to abolish this pathetic puppet Town (Parish) Council.
10

Feellikealocal,

Whitby 28/07/2010 20:18:44
Whitby has been our holiday home for the past four years, and holds dear to our hearts. It therefore pains me to see the total neglect that SBC has shown the residents and business over this last week, with the bridge being out!! some questions need to be answered and compensation paid to those business who have obviously suffered.

Why does it need a part for the bridge to come from Italy, this proud town could manufacture a part a lot quicker than the week it has taken!!!

We have spent little time this holiday in our beloved Whitby, finding alternatives. The free service offered did little to tempt us.

I agree with the comments above with regards a foot bridge, this would be the ideal for Whitby, I fear this bridge will again fail soon, and we will all suffer. Come on Scarborough Council, Whitby is the jewel in the crown, (I know I've travelled this last 2 weeks and seen what else you offer) give it the respect and long needed money it deserves and craves.

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