Rotherham Council to put £600k towards replacing bridge over River Rother
The money will be used to develop detailed plans for a new Fleet Bridge, which carries Rotherham Road between Beighton and Swallownest.
Plans to replace a bridge over the River Rother have taken a step forward after Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council proposed £600,000 to fund design work.
The money will be used to develop detailed plans for a new Fleet Bridge, which carries Rotherham Road between Beighton and Swallownest.
The funding is part of the council’s budget proposals and would be subject to approval by full council next month.
Council papers say engineers have identified ‘significant defects’ in the existing bridge, which is now subject to a temporary three-tonne weight limit restricting heavier vehicles, including HGVs, from using it.
A recent special inspection found that several beams within the structure have failed and can no longer safely support the loads they were designed for. Because the bridge uses post-tensioned beams, engineers say the damage cannot be repaired retrospectively.
Inspectors also identified significant movement in the bridge deck, which has forced it into one of the supporting abutments. This has caused a crack measuring around 50mm to run the full length of the abutment, raising concerns about further deterioration if the bridge continues to move.
Council documents say the bridge is no longer expanding and contracting as originally designed, meaning the damage is expected to worsen over time.
While bridges are typically designed to last around 120 years, officers say the extent of the defects means the most cost-effective solution is to rebuild the structure entirely rather than attempt temporary repairs.
The £600,000 will fund design work, taking the project to a point where it can be put out to tender for construction. During this stage, engineers will also consider alternative options, including the possibility of permanently restricting traffic on the route.
A further decision will be needed to fund the construction itself. Early estimates put the cost of rebuilding the bridge at around £4.7 million, which would be subject to a separate funding request in future years.
In the meantime, the council will continue to carry out regular monitoring inspections to ensure the bridge remains safe to use. Officers say replacing the bridge would eventually reduce ongoing costs by removing the need for frequent special inspections and emergency maintenance.
Council papers warn that failing to progress the scheme could leave a substandard structure in place in an industrial area, limiting access to cars and vans only and continuing to affect local traffic and businesses.