Leven Bridge closed to all traffic

Severe damage to the historic Leven Bridge may take months to complete, causing prolonged travel disruption for thousands of residents in Yarm.

Stockton Borough Council has said it could take at least eight weeks to repair and stabilise the bridge which is currently at risk of collapsing into the River Leven.

Surface damage was recently discovered on the Bridge which provides a vital link between Yarm and Ingelby Barwick. Further investigations by marine engineers found that it was structurally unstable due to serious loss of scour.

The Leven bank closure means motorists are having to navigate through parts of Ingelby Barwick and Eaglescliffe to reach cut off area’s of Yarm. At busy times this can add half an hour to many journeys, and is putting strain on the  already congested Yarm high street. Most affected are pupils of both Egglescliffe and Conyers Schools whose buses use the Bridge daily.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The works to stabilise the underside of the bridge will start almost immediately by the specialist marine engineers.

“We appreciate the frustration felt by motorists who may face delays at busy times.”

Traffic is being diverted from Leven Bank

Diversions are currently in place, with additional bus services for students who live in Ingelby Barwick and are unable to get to school across the river.

Councillor Maureen Rigg for Eaglescliffe Ward said that meetings are to be held to discuss the long-term problems to bus services. She highlighted that children who commute are now facing longer school days as a result of the disruption, with many catching earlier buses on a morning and waiting more than half an hour after school to be collected.

The council have asked residents to ‘bear with’ them as essential work is carried out on the bridge. Councillor Cook stressed that public safety is the council’s number one priority, and the bridge will remain closed to the public until it is absolutely safe to cross it again.

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