Bridge in 'very poor' condition to be repaired

Spital Old Bridge is on Historic England’s National Heritage List

Plans to repair a Grade II listed bridge in Whitby have been approved.

North Yorkshire Council said the condition of Spital Old Bridge was "very poor” due to a number of cracks, damaged stonework and vegetation growth.

While the plans were supported by Whitby Town Council and Whitby Civic Society, planning officers acknowledged the works would result in "some impact upon the original stonework".

But they said they were "necessary to stabilise the bridge and ensure its longevity for the future”.

There are visible cracks in the structure of Whitby's Spital Old Bridge

The Old Bridge is located to the west of Spital Bridge and is associated with Whitby’s industrial development in the 19th Century.

The bridge is on Historic England’s National Heritage List which highlights its importance as “part of the nation’s historic infrastructure, particularly as a 19th Century stone arch bridge with considerable architectural and historical merit.”

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers said the works would seek to “minimise alterations to the original structure by employing anchors and stitching techniques that strengthen the bridge’s core without necessitating extensive dismantling or removal”.

Temporary scaffolding will be set up and the original stonework will be preserved and repointed using a natural cement mortar.

According to the plans, the choice of material was critical “due to the tidal nature of the watercourse, as a hot lime mix would not have sufficient time to set before being submerged in tidal waters”.

Officers added: “It is clear from the supporting documentation and engineer’s report that the method of repair is appropriate and sympathetic to the listed structure.”

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.