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Tadcaster to get new footbridge 'within weeks'

After the main bridge collapsed due to flooding last month, the council have announced that a new footbridge will now be constructed in the town and will be up and running within the next few weeks

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Tadcaster to get new footbridge 'within weeks'

Tadcaster is to get a new footbridge bridge across the River Wharfe - hopefully within weeks.

The road bridge was badly damaged in last months floods - cutting the North Yorkshire town in two

But plans to build a temporary footbridge alongside it stalled when landowners Samuel Smiths Brewery objected to the plans.

But the new crossing will now be built on land the brewery DOESN'T own. Local residents and traders are delighted.

Chris Kiddey reports:

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Brewery hits back after blocking plans to build Tadcaster footbridge

A brewery has hit back tonight following criticism of its decision to block plans for a temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe in Tadcaster.

It would have provided access for pedestrians as a short term measure after the bridge linking the town collapsed because of the floods.

But Samuel Smith's Brewery says it is a waste of taxpayers money - and has accused both local and central government of PR soundbites.

Katie Oscroft reports:

The landowner, Samuel Smiths brewery, which is based in Tadcaster says it does regard money spent on a footbridge as a waste of taxpayers money. The brewery says it could provide an alternative route across the river.

We write with reference to our recent exchanges of correspondence regarding Tadcaster Bridge, in respect of which we wish to make the following points:-

1) The fault for the collapse of the 300 year old Grade II listed stone bridge in Tadcaster lies squarely with N.Y.C.C.. You failed to carry out your proper duties of maintenance. Only 3 of the 7 arches were in use and trees had been lodged for some weeks against the three used arches before the collapse. Buddleia had been growing out of the joints in the stone buttresses and the stone parapets were leaning. Because of this irresponsible breach of your duties we understand that not less than £3 million pounds will now need spending in a virtual rebuild of the listed bridge and the crossing will be closed for a year.

2) Tadcaster is fortunate in having three Wharfe crossings – the historic bridge for both vehicles and pedestrians; the by-pass bridge for vehicles only (we understand free buses and taxis are being provided to take people over the by-pass bridge); the viaduct for pedestrians only. In addition Thorp Arch bridge lies not far away. Of the three Tadcaster crossings, both the by-pass bridge and the viaduct lie above the flood plain, though on the east side the access to the viaduct lies within the flood plain.

3) Over the weekend an aggregate path for pedestrians was put in over the viaduct. Yesterday, a Sunday, no less than 14 people were being paid by central government to carry this out plus associated earth moving and compacting work with machinery. Shortly after midday the contractor had failed to get enough aggregate on to site so the 14 people on double time and machinery were stood there doing nothing.

4) Our small brewery is in a position to achieve a temporary permissive pedestrian access on the east side of the viaduct well above the flood plain which would be useable not only by pedestrians but wheelchair and pushchair users. This work would be undertaken entirely at our cost. I can assure you that without public money the work would be done far more cost effectively than the viaduct stretch over the last weekend.

5) We understand this proposed temporary footbridge would cost some £500,000 of tax-payers’ money. It seems to us a most wasteful proposed public expenditure, a typical short-term PR based sound-bite from central and local government. Who knows how the commerce in Tadcaster will recover once all the affected premises have been dried out and the insurance has been used in rehabilitation. It is a resilient little town and we all help each other as was demonstrated with 300 local volunteers giving up their holidays between Christmas and New Year.

6) Tadcaster’s listed bridge was widened before, on its downstream side, in the nineteenth century. The pavements over the bridge have been inadequate for pushchairs and the disabled. If N.Y.C.C. in the restoration would widen the bridge sensitively as was done in the nineteenth century (i.e. not a cantilevered arrangement), preferably on the downstream side, by approximately one metre so as to achieve for the long term good pedestrian, disabled and pushchair width across the bridge as a whole we would be happy to give any necessary land at the sides of the bridge that belongs to the brewery for that achievement. It would be far better long term value for this community and future generations who live here if all such public monies as are available were invested in this way.

– Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Bridge in Tadcaster to remain closed indefinitely

Credit: Press Association

North Yorkshire County Council says the bridge at Tadcaster will remain closed to both pedestrians and vehicles indefinitely after an inspection earlier today.

There are severe delays on the A659 River Wharfe Bridge in both directions because of closures for repairs.

The bridge partially collapsed into the River Wharfe on Tuesday evening.

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Severe flood warning around Tadcaster Bridge is lifted

The severe flood warning around Tadcaster Bridge that was put in place yesterday has now been lifted.

Credit: ITV News

The gas leak which occurred as a result of the partial collapse of Tadcaster Bridge has since been capped off.

The gas leak affected a number of properties in the area and following the evacuation of houses and commercial premises in Tadcaster yesterday evening, the police cordons have remained in place to ensure safety to the public.

Northern Gas staff have been facilitating controlled checks of all the premises concerned with the majority of checks already complete.

Archbishop of York fears Tadcaster Bridge collapse will divide communities

Dr John Sentamu says he is worried that the collapse of Tadcaster Bridge would divide communities in the town.

Speaking during his visit to the Bridge this morning, the Archbishop of York called on the Army to build a temporary bridge so that communities don't get cut off.

Dr John Sentamu Credit: ITV News

The 300-year-old bridge partially collapsed into the River Wharfe last night creating a safety hazard for local residents.

Around 130 properties were evacuated overnight. Some people spent the night at Tadcaster Grammar School and the Riley Smith community hall.

The damage to the bridge was clearly visible in pictures taken this morning.

Credit: ITV News
Credit: ITV News

Years ago when I went to Cockermouth and the bridge was broken. It divided communities and took a long time. I just hope they will do the same thing they did there. The Army put up a temporary bridge so that communities don't get cut off.

– Dr John Sentamu, The Archbishop of York

Police cordons remain in place following bridge collapse in Tadcaster

North Yorkshire Police say that police cordons remain in place this morning following the evacuation of houses and commercial premises in Tadcaster after Tadcaster Bridge collapsed yesterday evening.

Tadcaster Bridge collapses Credit: Press Association

Northern Gas staff will be facilitating controlled checks of all the premises concerned amid fears of a gas leak.

Owners and keyholders of local premises are asked to meet Northern Gas representatives at the locations below from 8am on Wednesday the 30th December.

West of the Bridge:

  • All premises from Nat West Bank (junction of Kirkgate) on Bridge Street back towards the bridge.
  • All premises from the junction of New Street with Bridge Street again back towards the bridge.
  • Those attending please park your vehicles on Kirkgate and approach a member of the Northern Gas staff at the Nat West bank.

East of the Bridge:

  • All the premises from Costcutter back towards the river.On the opposite side of the road from 38 Commercial Street back towards the bridge.
  • Please park in the bus station car park and approach a member of the Northern Gas team.
  • You are asked not to enter any premises without a member of Northern Gas being present.
  • Once your premises have been checked and made safe you will be asked to leave the area.

Around 130 properties were evacuated overnight. Some people spent the night at Tadcaster Grammar School and the Riley Smith community hall.

Tadcaster bridge collapse triggers severe flood warning

A severe flood warning has been issued for the River Wharfe at Tadcaster meaning there is a danger to life. People in the area close to the bridge which has partially collapsed are being advised to move from their homes.

"This severe flood warning has been issued due to the structural failure of Tadcaster Bridge over the River Wharfe in Tadcaster. Significant flooding is expected in the Tadcaster area. Those in this area are advised to evacuate immediately. The situation is serious and there is a significant risk to life.

– Environment Agency

In York, the six severe flood warnings which have been in place since the weekend, have been downgraded to flood warnings.

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