A TEMPORARY bridge is now in place as the clear-up operation from last week’s flash floods in the Yorkshire Dales continues.
The structure will replace the damaged Cogden Beck crossing on the B6270 which links the upper dale to Richmond and is part of the route of the upcoming UCI world cycling championships.
Work is also underway to repair a landslip further along the road so it can reopen to two-way traffic as soon as possible.
The target date for this is August 16, when the B6270 will be reopened under traffic management.
Work has also started at the site of a second bridge, Cogden South Bridge, on the C106 at Grinton Moor, which was swept away by torrential water.
An aerial view of the temporary bridge site Picture: JC TREES
A steel pipe will be lowered into the beck on Monday upstream from the ruins of the bridge, which will form the basis of a road diversion parallel to the damaged bridge.
North Yorkshire County Council hopes to reopen the C106 to traffic by the end of August and construction of a permanent masonry bridge, similar to the one destroyed, will take place at a later date.
Speaking from Grinton Moor, North Yorkshire County Council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton, said: “We’re here on site, just over a week after the floods, to start work on a bypass to the bridge and put in place a temporary structure which is good enough to take all the local traffic, and, later, the UCI Road World Championships.
Reeth traders want the public to know the village is ready to welcome visitors Picture: RICHARD DOUGHTY
“It’s important that we get the village of Grinton and the surrounding area up and running as soon as possible and reconnected with the rest of the dales. We’re working hard to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, the efforts of local businesses and the wider community has been praised as the rebuild after the floods continues.
Along with the council and emergency services, eight volunteer members of
Team Rubicon UK, made up of largely ex-military personnel, have been lending a hand.
They have been given free accommodation by the King’s Arms and The Laurels in Reeth.
Cockburns in Bedale donated and delivered 250 pies to helpers and the fish and chip shop in Hawes sent over a consignment of mushy peas so pie and peas could be offered from the Bellerby hub for people in the Dales left without the means to cook.
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