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16
Feb 2024
Aldwark Bridge reopened today after £1 million refurbishment
Aldwark Bridge, between York and Boroughbridge, reopened today after 10 months of refurbishment.
The bridge is one of the few remaining privately owned toll bridges in the UK and saves its users a 25-mile diversion.
The bridge, which crosses the River Ouse between Aldwark and Little Ouseburn, dates back hundreds of years.
The bridge opened to traffic at 7am today and will see am official grand reopening at 12pm tomorrow when a horse and cart will cross the bridge.
The bridge was surveyed in 2020 after Derbyshire businessman Alex Bell purchased it.
Underwater divers who inspected the footings found that the whole bridge needed to be sandblasted to clean the metal structure. Some bolts had to be replaced and the wooden boards on the driving deck of the bridge had to be removed and entirely replaced for it to be roadworthy.
The new driving deck and Inside the tarpaulin during the refurbishment. Image: Alex Bell and Aldwark toll bridge
The refurbishments are now complete after almost a year and should mean the bridge will be in working order for at least another 25 years.
Alex Bell, who owns the bridge, said:
He said the renovations cost £1 million. adding:
There were technical difficulties throughout the restoration process due to structural repairs, paint issues and weather conditions delaying progress.
Local users will save time and money now the bridge has reopened with a toll cost of 40p.
Susan Beesley, landlord at the Aldwark Arms said:
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