Bridges
Doncaster Council is responsible for around 615 bridges, culverts and other highway structures such as retaining walls, underpasses and footbridges.
We carry out general inspections every two years and principal inspections every six years on all bridges to determine their condition and maintenance requirements, passing on our recommendations to the appropriate bodies where required. These inspections involve giving each part of the bridge a score based on how serious and widespread any defects are, which generates an overall condition score that helps to prioritise spending our maintenance budget on the worst structures.
There are also 261 assets managed and maintained by organisations such as Highways England, Network Rail, the Canal and River Trust (formerly British Waterways Board) and the Environment Agency which we inspect from a public safety point of view.
We respond to emergency situations when required, such as the bridge strike on the Grade II listed Stainforth Bridge, putting in place an immediate road closure to ensure public safety, employing divers to recover the stone parapet from the river and an accredited stonemason to carry out the repairs.
Our team also acts as the Technical Approval Authority for all Highway Structures proposed by developers and council schemes. This ensures that any new structure is safe for use and fit for purpose.
We take pride in our ability to respond to ever changing demands on the road network such as helping to facilitate the Tour De Yorkshire cycle race over St. Georges bridge which we achieved by temporarily modifying the expansion joints to allow bicycles to cross.
We also actively monitor river levels on several watercourses across the borough to improve our response time to flood events.
Recent Schemes
Bridge replacements (Ongoing)
General and Principal Inspections (Ongoing)
Despite the difficulties imposed by Covid-19 we have continued to carry out both our general and principal inspection programmes following safe working practices. Since April 2020 we have delivered 39 principal inspections on various assets and 463 general inspections.
Flood Resilience (Ongoing)
Newton Ings Footbridge
In response to the severe flooding experience in November 2019, we commissioned a consultant to undertake 61 underwater scour inspections. As the inspections are completed and the reports sent in we have as of yet no cause for concern on any of structures.
West Moor Drain Bridge Strengthening (Complete)
These works were carried out from within the watercourse, meaning minimal to no traffic disruption occurred throughout the duration of the scheme.
Reporting bridge problems
To report faults or damage to bridges please contact bridges@doncaster.gov.uk or call 01302 736000 advising, if applicable:
- the name of the bridge or road
- the registration of any involved vehicles
- time of incident
- any other relevant information
All reported incidents are treated anonymously unless otherwise stated.
Alternatively fill out a web-form here:
Bridges programme of works for 2020/21
Visit the following page for details of the 2020/21 Programme of Works for bridges: Highways programme of works