The newly rebuilt Elland Bridge is expected to be open to pedestrians and cyclists by the end of next week – a key milestone in the final stage of construction before the expected full reopening of the bridge to traffic later this month.
Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader, said:
“This is good news for local residents and businesses. We know they are eager to see the bridge fully open, and this latest milestone gives a clear message that work is nearing completion. We’re now very much in the final phase of restoring and strengthening Elland Bridge, and we expect it to reopen to traffic at the end of January 2017.
“Rebuilding Elland Bridge has been a complex and careful process. The outcome will be a much stronger bridge for Elland, which retains the historic features of the original but with much greater resilience against any future flooding. This is part of our work across Calderdale to do everything we can to minimise the impacts that floods have on our communities.”
Graham Ramsden, project manager for the Canal & River Trust, added:
“We’re delighted that local people will be able to use the new bridge from next week. We know how important the bridge is locally so this is a really significant moment with the full opening to traffic also just around the corner. People will still notice ongoing works taking place around them, to surface the road and build the towpath underneath, but we hope they enjoy being able to use the bridge once again.”
The temporary footbridge which was installed in January 2016 and has provided pedestrian access throughout the works will be removed, as will the temporary service bridge, as all utilities have been transferred to the new bridge. The recently installed temporary structure which is currently providing pedestrian access will stay in place until Elland Bridge can be used.
To enable the temporary bridges to be removed by crane, dismantled and cleared safely, Park Road will be temporarily closed from midnight on Friday 6 January 2017 until midnight on Monday 9 January at the latest – all being well the road will hopefully be open during the day on Monday.
This means that there will be no access from Brighouse via Park Road onto Calderdale Way during the closure period. Signs are up to give early notification to drivers, the emergency services have been made aware, and signed diversions will be in place.
Walkers and cyclists on the new Elland Bridge will be able to admire the stonework, which is almost complete. The majority of the original stones from the 1811, Grade II listed bridge were saved from the floods, catalogued, kept safely in storage and are being reused on the new bridge by a specialist stonemason.
The rebuilding of the bridge is being financed through the Department for Transport flood recovery fund.