Skipton swing bridge to be replaced in £300k project

PREPARATION work for the replacement of the damaged Gawflat Swing Bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Skipton will start on Monday, May 10.

As reported last month, the old bridge is due to be removed on Sunday, May 16 followed by the installation of the new bridge on Sunday, May 23. Work on the £300,000 project should be completed by May 28.

The bridge, which ‘swings’ open to allow boats to pass along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and is ‘closed’ to give residents access to Aireville Park, was damaged last year and became difficult to operate.

As the bridge is part of a heavily used footpath which connects the town to the park, the leisure centre, Craven College and Skipton Academy, the Canal & River Trust was able to keep it working with the help of volunteers who have assisted boaters to open and close the bridge until repairs could be arranged.

Sean McGinley, director for Yorkshire & North East, said: “This is an important pedestrian route for Skipton, so we have tried to minimise the inconvenience as much as possible.

“We will need to close Carleton New Road on the sharp bend for two Sundays, which will allow a crane access to the site.”

Although Carleton New Road will be closed from the train station end on Sundays May 16 and 23, Engine Shed Lane and Sandylands sport fields will still be accessible via Carleton Road.

The new bridge weighs about 20 tonnes and is constructed of steel. It has been designed to be easier to open by boaters than the current bridge, and will last for decades to come.