A MAJOR scheme to replace historic bridges along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is now in the final stages.

The NYMR announced this week that contractors VolkerLaser have reached the final phase of the £1.26 million construction and installation work of Bridges 24 and 25 at Goathland.

Read more: Road closed for almost THREE MONTHS for cable works to connect designer village

This week saw the two new 40 tonne steel structures, each spanning 50 feet, delivered by road from VolkerLaser’s appointed painter’s facility in Sheffield.

The massive structures were lowered into place which will carry the railway over Eller Beck, replacing the old structures after 150 years of service.

VolkerLaser started work at the Goathland site in December, with the team dismantling and removing the old structure and preparing for the installation of the new bridge.

The Northern Echo:

The NYMR’s in-house Permanent Way team will relay the ballast and tracks ready for the 2022 season.

The bridge work forms part of the NYMR’s ‘Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey’ initiative, a £10 million project to ensure future generations can enjoy the 180-year-old line.

Tim Bruce, director of civil engineering at NYMR, said: “We’ve enjoyed a really good working relationship with VolkerLaser, who were able to step in following the collapse last summer of engineering firm Cleveland Bridge, which was originally scheduled to carry out the work.

"We are now able to press ahead on schedule to reopen on April 4.”

Read more: Meet the two 'cute' otter cubs after they were dumped in a Durham bin

Jim Mawson, operations director for steel at VolkerLaser, said: “This week represents the culmination of many hours of planning and preparation, and it is fantastic to see the new bridges being installed on time for NYMR following the removal of the life-expired bridges in January.

“The new bridges will allow NYMR to operate continuously for many decades, and we at VolkerLaser are proud to be involved, and to be included in the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project.”

The Yorkshire's Magnificent Journey project has been made possible thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the European Union, NYMR’s Local Enterprise Partnership and kind donations from many supporters.

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054