‘Vital’ Northumberland bridge work progress update - as Wylam improvements set for 2022

A near £5 million project to repair “vital” bridges in the county is making good progress.

Northumberland County Council secured a £3.7 million funding pot from the Government for works on ‘high-value’ steel bridges from the Department for Transport Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund – the third time in a row the council has successfully bid for funding through this scheme.

Combined with a further £1.1 million from the local authority, the project marked eight bridges to be fully repainted and repaired. A list of the eight bridges can be found below.

• C172 Alwinton Bridge
• B6319 Haydon Bridge
• B6341 Hepple
• A1068 Lesbury
• C202 Redesmouth
• A697 Weldon River Bridge
• B6461 Whiteadder
• C254 Wylam River Tyne

Bridge repair teams are currently making up for lost time after Covid-19 delayed proposed plans.

The main work will see the eight bridges transformed with protective paintwork, preserving the essential crossing points for the future.

Design work is nearing completion for all bridges, with the Whiteadder bridge scheduled for a new coat of paint in December.

The contract for works on Wylam Bridge are set to start in January 2022, with an approximate time of 22 weeks to complete, depending on the weather. The work here may affect footpath usage when scaffolding is erected and dismantled.

The works to the remaining bridges are due to begin early next year, with painting works the first repair to make.

Cllr John Riddle, cabinet member for local services, said: “These bridges are vital crossing points for communities, businesses and tourists and we need to keep them in good condition.

“We’re pleased to be making good progress on all the schemes with work starting as soon as next month, and these repairs will protect the bridge steelwork and give them a new lease of life to ensure they remain fit for future generations to use.”