Esh Construction has made significant progress on major repairs to a Grade II listed bridge.

The company is delivering the project on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

A 15-week scheme to deliver emergency repair and strengthening works to the structure got underway in July after the stone bridge, which carries the A163 over the River Derwent, was hit by a car in September 2022, causing significant damage to the headwall and parapet.

The first phase of works saw the installation of an encapsulated scaffold which allowed grit blasting, steel girder reinforcement and masonry repairs to the parapets to be carried out safely.

At the half way point, masonry repairs which include the use of steel staples to pin the stonework together for additional strength are now complete, and the steel girders have been refurbished.

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The next critical phase will see specialist vacuum excavation works undertaken to remove the fill from the eastern and western bridge arches, this will allow steel anchors and concrete infill to be installed to further strengthen the structure.

Steven Garrigan, divisional director for Esh Construction's civil engineering division, said: "We are pleased with progress to date and remain on schedule.

"We understand the strain the closure of the bridge is having on the local area and as such made a commitment to procure local suppliers and sub-contractors where possible to do so given the specialist nature of some of the trades required. I am delighted to report that more than half of the contract value has been re-invested within 20 miles of the site.

"While we have overcame any obstacles so far to allow us to remain on programme, we would like to remind everyone that the risk of uncovering further structural issues still remains high, but we are working collaboratively with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to ensure they are fully informed every step of the way."

The project is due to complete at the end of October 2023.