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.

Upcoming Schemes

Thorne Flyover parapets painting

The latest inspection of Thorne Flyover identified that the parapets are in need of repainting to renew the protection of the underlying steel as well as improve its appearance. This has been scheduled to be completed before the UCI Road World Championships cycle race.

We also undertake a number of other painting works throughout the year.

Newton Ings Footbridge demolition

Following a principal inspection that revealed significant structural issues with the abutments, a feasibility study was carried out which found the most cost effective maintenance solution was to demolish the existing concrete bridge and replace it with a new multi-span bridge which we aim to deliver later in the year.

The demolition phase of these works is currently ongoing.

Jubilee Bridge refurbishment

Despite installing width restrictions to help enforce the 3T weight limit, overweight vehicles have continued to abuse this bridge resulting in significant repair works being required to maintain its load carrying capacity.

The existing decking of Jubilee Bridge involves anti-skid GRP plates fixed into timber planks. This system has been used for 15 years and has reached the end of its service life so we’re improving it by removing the timber planks and replacing them with a new continuous GRP decking solution which will provide a better running surface.

This scheme is currently ongoing with the steel repairs phase of works almost complete which will be followed by the redecking works.

PROW Footbridge replacements

Working with our Public Rights of Way team we inspect 131 bridges, footbridges and boardwalks on right of way routes. Some of these inspections result in recommendations to replace the structures, of which we carry out about four a year. Most recently we replaced two timber footbridges in Thorpe-in-Balne and Fenwick with glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) bridges that were delivered in kit-form and assembled on site. 

We are currently in the process of arranging two more timber footbridges in Tickhill to be replaced with GRP.

GRP is quickly becoming a popular material for rural settings as it does not suffer from rot or corrosion as timber and steel bridges would which eliminates costly repairs or replacement.

Flood Resilience

We have identified a number structures across the borough in need of maintenance in order to better withstand a flood event. This maintenance is various and includes masonry repairs, scour protection, culvert lining or replacement. We are in the process of securing funding for these works which will allow us to deliver this maintenance over the next eight years.

 

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 2019/20

Visit the following page for details of the 2019/20 Programme of Works for bridges: Highways programme of works

 

Last updated: 09 October 2019 13:14:01