PROJECT UPDATE: Dinckley Bridge repairs

What’s the latest?

Bulldozers are now on site as work begins to repair the storm-damaged Dinckley Bridge pedestrian suspension bridge near Hurst Green.

What is the project?

The pedestrian footbridge over the River Ribble was badly damaged by Storm Desmond back in 2015 when flood waters buckled the upper part of the 1951 structure. Since then,

Lancashire County Council has been sourcing funding for a repair and then putting contracts out to tender for the £1.5m project – which will be funded by the Department for Transport.

What happens next?

The footbridge is currently only accessible on foot, so the first task for the contractors NRS Limited is to create vehicle access so their repair trucks can access the site. The diggers are now on site creating an access route in. The next stage is to remove the damaged old bridge. The existing bridge supports will then be raised by 1.5m, with the new bridge lifted into place using a mobile crane in September Further work will be needed to construct steps and a ramp and restore the access lane.

When will it be finished?

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2019.

Will the new bridge be floodproof?

County Councillor Keith Iddon, portfolio holder for highways and transport, said: “The storms of 2015 were not the first time the bridge had been damaged by flooding and the new bridge will be raised above the height where it could be likely to be affected by flood waters in future. I’m very pleased that we’ve now begun work to replace Dinckley Bridge and restore access across the river for the many people who enjoy walking in this area.”