David Bosworth

Update: The Humber Bridge Board released a further statement on Friday about the works this weekend.

It  said: “The bearing replacement work due to be carried out between 9pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday this weekend is highly weather dependent. Therefore, in the lead-up to the Bridge closure, we have been monitoring the weather forecasts closely.

“The current forecasted wind speed is higher than expected which means there is a possibility that the proposed works will not be fully completed in the planned overnight closure.

“Should this be the case, we have identified a short contingency period from midnight to 4am on Monday 19^th to complete any remaining works, when the bridge will again close to all traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.

“However, at this stage this is a contingency plan only and we hope to complete all necessary works by 9am on Sunday, September 18^th.

“In the event of having to close again, we will communicate this at the earliest possible opportunity.”

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The Humber Bridge will close to all traffic, walkers and cyclists from 9pm on Saturday, September 17, to 9am on Sunday September 18, for vital maintenance work.

The work includes changing two bearings at the Hessle end of the bridge, which have come to the end of their working lives.

This follows a similar and successful operation last year to replace the bearings at the Barton end of the bridge.

The role of the bearings is to connect the bridge deck to the towers, helping to carry the weight of the bridge and traffic, while at the same time allowing the bridge to move in response to the wind and temperature.

Andrew Arundel, Chief Operating Officer at the Humber Bridge, said the work involved lifting up the road a small amount to enable the bearings to be replaced, meaning there was no option but to close the bridge entirely whilst the works were being carried out.

Mr Arundel said: “Replacing the bearings at the Hessle end of the Humber Bridge is a vital maintenance procedure.

“The bearings were designed to last around 40 years, so have come to the end of their working lives.

“We chose the weekend of September 17 to undertake the work because the forecasted weather conditions are favourable.

“We are carrying the work over a weekend night to keep disruption to a minimum, because this is typically when traffic levels are lowest.

“When we replaced the bearings at the Barton end of the bridge last year, the operation went very smoothly and we were able to reopen the bridge ahead of the stated time.”

There is a contingency plan in place for any emergency vehicles that have no option but to cross the Humber Bridge while the work is ongoing.

Although the works are forecast to take place on September 17, there is a small chance they will be cancelled should the weather forecast change for the worse.

Bridge users are encouraged to either reschedule non-essential journeys during hours of 9pm on Saturday, September 17 and 9am on Sunday, September 18, or in the case of essential travel, set aside more time to travel via Goole.

 

 

People of all faiths and beliefs across Lincolnshire are mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II with visits to places of worship across the county.

The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln Cathedral, told BBC Look North: “Ritual, at times like this, is very important and the rituals that happen around mourning – people come together, they do the condolence books, and the lighting of candles and prayers – and actually it is all part of how we make sense of things and bring our story to live.”

Gurmeet Singh Athwal, President of Sri Guru Nanak Gurdwara told how the gurwara has been the focus for the Sikh community as they remember the Queen: “Last Sunday we did a service for her at this place and we’re going to this next Sunday as well.

“She was loved by all the Sikhs – if anybody dies in the community it’s very important we get together, but now the whole country needs to get together.”