Grosmont Bridge in North York Moors reopen after two months

Grosmont Bridge in the North York Moors was severely damaged in August this year after a bus fell from the bridge and crushed several of the historic pieces of stone. 

The aftermath of the crash on August 3 at Grosmont Bridge, where a bus plunged into the river (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) This will allow the bridge to reopen over the winter months, to carry out permanent repairs in the spring once a scheme has been approved by planners at the National Park.

For the last two months, drivers have been unable to use the bridge and have had to take the 16-mile diversion route, which can take cars and HGVs over an hour in heavy traffic.

Since the crash, North Yorkshire Council has been working with the North York Moors National Park Authority on a repair scheme that would allow the bridge to reopen. 

Grosmont Bridge (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) “Thanks to our close work with the National Park, we can carry out temporary repairs which will reopen the road while we source new stone and secure planning approvals for a permanent repair.”

Now, over two months on, the bridge has opened after work to repair the damaged parapet wall using breeze blocks was completed on the bridge by October 17.

Posting on social media on October 17, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway posted a photo of the bridge with the caption: "We are pleased to state that the damaged road access bridge between Grosmont Station and Egton village has now re-opened to all traffic."

The bridge has reopened (Image: North Yorkshire Moors Railway) This will allow the bridge to reopen over the winter months, and the council has said that permanent repairs will be carried out next spring once a scheme has been approved by planners at the National Park.

Cllr Clive Pearson, who represents the Esk Valley and Coast division, added: “The road closure has had a huge impact on the local community and visitors to Grosmont, particularly over the summer months. The temporary repairs are welcome news to allow the road to reopen."

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The bridge is an 18th-century Grade II listed structure maintained by North Yorkshire Council.

Due to its special status, careful restoration and re-building work needs to be undertaken.

Senior heritage and conservation officer at the North York Moors National Park Authority, Annabel Longfield-Reeve, said: “This three-arch sandstone bridge is an important historic feature of Grosmont and indeed the wider National Park, but principally it serves as an essential transport link for local communities of the Esk Valley."