Temporary access, in place of the closed suspension footbridge in Grosmont, is being installed this week after the council agreed to an £88,000 solution to the issue, which residents say has put people at risk and cost thousands in lost business.
Access over the bridge was prohibited last week with immediate effect and a notice posted next to the bridge, which stated it would be closed by way of emergency, from May 20 until June 9, followed by a six month closure until November 19.
However, North Yorkshire Council (NYC) confirmed on Wednesday contractors have been appointed to install a temporary footbridge with work expected to take three days.
The council’s environment department has appointed Wilf Noble’s to do the work with initial costs around £88,000 for a two-year hire.
Final costs are uncertain, added the authority, due to ongoing hire and inspection fees.
It had considered the purchase and installation of a 20m kit footbridge as an alternative because, while the initial upfront cost was higher, it was a lower cost over the expected two to three year hire period for the temporary bridge.
The council rejected the option as it would have taken up to five weeks to have the bridge made and brought to the site, off Front Street.
A NYC spokesperson said: “During a recent inspection of Grosmont suspension bridge, specialist contractors found structural issues, affecting the support it provides and posing a risk to anybody crossing.
“After receiving the findings of this inspection last week, we immediately introduced an emergency closure.
“Officers have been working on options to install a temporary footbridge, and contractors have now been appointed.”
When asked by The Anchor when the last inspection was made prior to this one, the council said it was 2024.
It comes as residents and businesses expressed concern about the closure.
Twice in as many days, emergency service access was required to two separate incidents at the Old School Coffee Shop and the railway sheds. It is reported crews struggled to get patients to ambulances.
The diversion put in place by NYC is around a mile uphill, over rough terrain, river bridges and steps through the woods on foot. Access to the coffee shop or St Matthew’s Church isn’t possible by vehicle.
Businesses say they have lost thousands in potential takings with people unable to get to them or not knowing the bridge was closed.
Mark and Alex Wilson, from the Old School Coffee Shop, said it was unlikely they will open this weekend as they are unable to carry stock such as coffee, milk and flour along the diversion and bins have missed being collected.
They estimate they were down 50 per cent in takings over the bank holiday weekend compared to normal.
They said: “It is down considerably, we have lost half of what we would normally take.
“They fixed the rail bridge and two days afterwards they closed the footbridge. I know they are two different entities but still it is a lot.
“People have been annoyed when they get here because they have walked from Goathland where there are no signs to say the footbridge is out of action.”
The holiday cottage next door to the coffee shop had a booking cancel because guests would have been unable to get their luggage to it.
Anna Long, landlady of The Station, says she also had bookings cancel as well, as losing passing trade over what should have been a busy bank holiday weekend.
She said: “I have a good reputation with gallon walkers, but not a single one came in which is unheard of. We normally get 80 people through the doors and they might spend £30 to £40 on a couple of rounds so it is worth a few thousand pounds.
“I had eight different bookings cancel by people coming from Goathland. A table of four, by the time they have had a couple of drinks and sandwiches, might be £60 to £70 and that is conservative. Even without people drinking a lot it is £1000 down, plus the gallon walk.
“I rely on the summer money to get me through the winter.
“I understand things need to be done and sorted and emergencies but they did an inspection in February and we are now three and four months later.”
A spokesperson for NYC added: “We appreciate the impact that the closure is having on the community, and we will keep the public updated as we work on a permanent repair scheme.”
