After three years, Two Plank Bridge has reopened as work on the first section of the Spalding Western Relief Road comes to an end.
The popular walkway between Spalding and Pinchbeck was closed in 2021, initially for two years, as a new bridge and corresponding footpath were built around the northerly part of the proposed route.
It’s back open today (Monday, December 16).
Coun Elizabeth Sneath, county councillor for Spalding Elloe, said: “I’m really happy to announce that the new Two Plank Bridge is officially open now, which means people can go back to crossing the Vernatt’s here when out for a walk or cycle ride.
“Being made of steel, the new bridge will make it far easier for the county’s highways team to take care of and it will also last much longer than a new wooden bridge would.
“I know how inconvenient having this route closed has been, so I want to thank everyone, from dog-walkers and cyclists to school-children and their parents, for their patience.”
Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways, said: “The new 16-tonne, steel bridge we’ve installed will be far more hard-wearing and easier to maintain than the old wooden crossing which needed constant repairs to keep safe.
“Not only that, but the new bridge is wide and flat making it easier for people with limited mobility to use.”
As part of the works, the old five-tonne bridge was removed. Following this, the team installed 11-metre deep foundations before lifting the new bridge into place using a 250-tonne crane. The bridge was then secured into place and the footpaths on both sides of Vernatt’s Drain completed.
The route was kept shut throughout construction of the Spalding Western Relief Road’s north section to allow for construction of the relief road to be safely carried out near the Blue Gowt Lane/Vernatt’s crossing.
The road bridge is to remain closed, Lincolnshire County Council’s Sam Edwards said in his update to the authority’s Highways Scrutiny committee last week.
He mentioned that the relief road work was due to be ‘complete’ and that the bridge would remain closed until ‘further phases of housing’ were ready.
Coun Rob Gibson responded: “It’s not complete. Phase five is complete the rest of it hasn’t even started and probably never will.
“I wanted to make sure everyone is aware that this is not complete and the issue still stands.
“We’ve got congestion everywhere.”
No mention was made in the meeting of proposals for the other four sections of the Spalding Western Relief Road.
