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Removal of Old River Don Bridge to reduce flood risk
It was the 39th year of Queen Victorias reign. General Custer and his troop were wiped out at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Alexander Graham Bell made his first call on the new fangled telephone and Grafton Bridge was installed over the River Don in Rotherham. Now that piece of local history, dating back to 1876, has disappeared.
Removal of the Old River Don Bridge will reduce the flood risk to a significant area of the town centre through reducing high river water levels by between 670mm and 450mm over the stretch between the old bridge and upstream to Tesco weir and beyond. This will reduce the risk for businesses in the area, many of whom were badly affected in the June 2007 floods. At the same time it will not make the flood position elsewhere worse by passing on the water.
Tim Cole, the chair of Regional Flood Defence Committee, said: The Regional Flood Defence Committee are delighted to work in partnership with Yorkshire Forward and Rotherham Borough Council on such a beneficial scheme. This bridge removal will reduce the flood risk in Central Rotherham and so encourage regeneration and development of the business centre. This scheme is a very good example of how joint partnership can create a very positive outcome for all concerned and the Regional Flood Defence Committee are keen to work in the future with developers on other such worthy projects.
The removal of the bridge took place on Thursday 1st October.
Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation Cllr Gerald Smith said: In the floods of 2007, the bridge caused significant damming due to it collecting debris. This led to higher water levels and problems for the businesses on Rawmarsh Road and increased the problems further upstream towards the town centre. Removing the bridge will ease water levels and reduce the risk of floods. This will support locally based companies and the huge riverside regeneration through Renaissance.
The Grade II listed bridge was closed to motor vehicles in 1998 due to serious corrosion. In recognition of its listed status it is planned to reuse around 80% of the existing stone elements, including the foundation stone, together with its cast iron panels to be incorporated in the new layout as river bank steps and boundary fencing.
The works are scheduled to last 20 weeks, completing in March 2010. During construction a lane at the north end of the bridge, where it joins the unclassified Rawmarsh Road, will have to be closed. This would prevent traffic from making a left turn from the A633 St Ann’s Road into Rawmarsh Road. A diversion route will be signposted.
The project is funded by Rotherham MBC and the Environment Agency Regional Flood Defence Committee and supported by Yorkshire Forward.
