DIVERSIONS have been put in place in Apperley Bridge due to a flood defence survey at a listed bridge.

The survey work, at Apperley Lane Bridge, started today and is expected to last four weeks.

Flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, Adrian Gill said: “This is complex survey work to a listed bridge with historical significance, so great attention, care and detail has been made to do the survey work sensitively. We hope to carry out the works with minimum disruption to the local community while we gather information to help us reduce flood risk for the area.”

The bridge currently reduces the amount of water that can pass underneath it because of its arch structure, so it is being proposed to strengthen and raise the parapet walls slightly. The bridge will be restored to retain its appearance and protection will be provided underneath to reduce erosion.

During the survey, engineers will be drilling six boreholes through the existing Apperley Lane Bridge structure, which is formed of two bridges historically built at separate times alongside each other. They will be drilled using a rotary coring rig, from the carriageway down through the abutments and central pier, to help the team understand the construction of the existing bridge and provide valuable information on the substrata below the riverbed.

Small holes will also be drilled from below the bridge, drilling up through the stone arch so that engineers can calculate the load capacity of the bridge. This will be done using a floating pontoon on the River Aire.

Engineers will need access to the bridge to do the work, so a road closure and small diversion will be in place for approximately three to four weeks, commencing Monday 22 July.

The bridge itself will be fully closed to traffic and pedestrians with a small diversion route for both via Harrogate Road. Access to all businesses will be maintained during the works.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: