Temporary footbridge to reconnect community

A temporary footbridge is to be installed in Grosmont to reconnect the community while work takes place on the existing bridge over the Murk Esk river.

North Yorkshire Council announced last week that the village's suspension footbridge had closed after an inspection revealed structural issues on the underside.

Initial costs for the temporary structure are expected to be about £88,000 over a two-year hire period, although the council said final costs remained uncertain.

Whitby-based Wilf Noble Construction Ltd will install the temporary crossing over the Murk Esk while longer-term solutions are explored, the council said.

Council officials are expected to confirm when the temporary bridge will be installed later this week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Clive Pearson, who represents the Esk Valley and Coast ward, said he was not surprised when he was told the bridge had been closed.

"The last time I walked over it was the day before it closed. I thought at the time 'this isn't very good'.

"The temporary bridge would be downstream a few hundred yards away as that's the only way they can actually do it at the moment, unfortunately, until we can get the bridge repaired.

"I don't know how much repairing the bridge needs, but they're talking about six months, so there must be quite a bit of work needed. I understand it's the foundations that have slipped.

"If they can get the temporary bridge in quickly, it will help the village dramatically."

Council documents show that an alternative option involving the purchase and installation of a permanent 20-metre kit footbridge was considered.

While officers concluded that option could have been cheaper over a two-to-three-year period, it was ultimately rejected because manufacturing and delivery would have taken between four and five weeks.

The report also highlighted "significant logistical challenges" linked to transporting and installing a bridge of that size at the site.

The suspension bridge connects a number of properties to the south of the river, including a tea shop and church, to the rest of the small community.

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