Road closure extended as Doncaster Council issues update on bridge saga

Thorne Road has been closed on and off near Sainsbury’s in Edenthorpe since July 2019.

Doncaster Council has now explained why the project has been hit by delays and said that further closures will be needed for the work to continue.

A spokesman said: “The piling work was always going to be challenging, but when drilling down we have been experiencing problems. We are met with sand and ground water.

“Getting to the depth we need and finding a hard base for the piles has been difficult and this is why the process has taken longer than we had planned as we have to balance out the water pressure during the drilling and casing process. So far under this closure we have managed to complete less than half of the piles that are needed in total.

“We know what an inconvenience this is to the public and road users, but this part of the work is crucial to the stability of the bridge and has to be done right – it can’t be rushed.

"The bridge must be structurally sound when the new deck is fitted and trains begin to use it again.

“The latest update that we have is that the current piling phase is now progressing well, and subject to any other problems we anticipate that the works will be complete and the road opened by no later than October 15 and as early as October 5.

“Then 25 night time closures from 10pm to 6am Monday to Friday can be used to do much of the next part of the works – building the supporting abutment walls.

“We will need another full closure early next year to replace the actual bridge deck, and will be giving further updates as the job progresses.”

Footways under the bridge will be closed from 5pm on September 25 until 5pm on September 27 with mini buses provided to transport pedestrians around.

The statement added: “We know it’s frustrating and hope this explains the delays. Please bear with us, it will be a big improvement once complete.”