Bridge Over Troubled Water?
Today’s Letter to the Editor is, in fact, more of a Letter to the People of Whitby. Details have at last been circulated regarding one Town Councillor’s somewhat contentious aspiration to provide Whitby residents with a third bridge across the River Esk, specifically for pedestrian traffic only.
It is intended that its hydraulically-powered central spans will rotate (either vertically or horizontally – though not simultaneously), operating in tandem with the Swing Bridge to accommodate the free passage of river traffic to and from the Upper Harbour and the Maritime Training Hub on Endeavour Wharf.
It is, in fact, a much-refined amendment to an earlier proposal from Councillor Michael Harrison (Abbey Ward) [Ref.] – to reinstate, by means of a series of giant ‘stepping stones’, the historical crossing between Abraham’s Quay and the Coates Marine slipway, with the intention of providing Helredale residents with a more direct route to the Co-Op (and the Railway Station, the Bus Station, the Police Station, the Library, the Lucky House, Pizza Figaro, etc – thus sparing them the long trek all the way down to the Swing Bridge). Regrettably, this proposal soon picked up the sobriquet – ‘Harrison Ford‘ – thereby discouraging members from taking it seriously.
On the subject of names, one Councillor has suggested that the new proposal should be known as ‘The Michael Harrison Memorial Bridge’, adding, somewhat sardonically, that it is already dead in the water.
Initially sceptical about the authenticity of this revised proposal, the North Yorks Enquirer has been assured by Town Councillors that the following text comprises a genuine and unexpurgated reproduction of a non-confidential email from Whitby Town Councillor Michael Harrison [Ref.] of Teesside, transmitted via Whitby Town Council’s proprietary email client.
Finally (and significantly), some Councillors have suggested there may be typo in Councillor Harrison’s £200,000 prospective ‘costings’ (a missing zero – perhaps even two?). Given that the three-storey Maritime Training Hub on Endeavour Wharf is to be just a ‘shell’ construction costing ten million pounds (with no internal fixtures or fittings and an open-plan ground floor parking area), Councillor Harrison’s two hundred grand looks too good to be true.
Fellow Councillors,
Further to your request for an update on what I’ve been looking at over the last twelve months or so, I’d like to respond as best I can. After living part time in Whitby for over twelve years on the east side of town, crossing the bridge has been a regular thing. Walking down Church St. and spending a lot of time wondering where a bridge could actually be placed, has clearly been the reason why it hasn’t been done before.
I’ve found what I believe is the only location for a footbridge to be erected & I was able to get a meeting with the harbour master to ask if this location would be a problem. He told me that it wouldn’t be a problem to the workings of the harbour, and in fact gave me a lot of information that actually supported this location. At this point can I make it clear I only asked if the location would be a problem and he answered accordingly. I didn’t ask if he thought that it was good place and I don’t want to give the impression that he gave his support to the location. He was very helpful and came up with extra information that actually supported the location, but as I say I am not suggesting anything more.
I’ve spoken to several councillors whose opinion I value, (can I make it clear that I value the opinion of every single councillor as I feel that we have a richness of talent) and I have to say that the location wasn’t totally supported. Nothing too negative and certainly no “red lights,” so I am aware that the location that I firmly believe is the only suitable location, is contentious.
I’m from an Engineering background and I’m certainly not a bridge builder, but I have looked into the things that I understand and I’ve sought advice from hydraulic design experts.
Whatever the design of the potential bridge, there will be two separate hydraulic power packs, one on each side of the river. These can be operated individually or in tandem, and the cost will come in at around £200,000. There will be additional costs for piling in the supports into the river bed, but I’ve been informed that we have the ability already in Whitby to do this. Furthermore I’m quite optimistic that the footplate and handrails etc. can be made in Whitby. Worse case scenario is that can be made in Teesside and transported here, as well as the fact that there’s also an amazing hydraulics company also in Teesside. It always good for locals to know that it’s been made locally of course.
So the location and the reasons why I feel that it’s the only place. Starting on the East Side, the turning point on Grape Lane has an area adjacent to the Capt. Cook Museum has the ideal void area currently. This if hard barriered will give a safe place to embark on the footbridge. The bridge might be erected at the same height as the car park and initially take the route that runs closely to the buildings on Grape Lane. It will need to be between two to three metres wide and when it comes to about eight metres from the swing bridge, it will go straight across the river to go to the raised area that is at the top of the steps on the west side. (I’m sorry that I can’t recall the exact name of this spot, but it’s at the top of the steps where people can often be seen crabbing) As our Mayoress once told me, “Whitby is a working port and any further bridge construction must respect this.” This in mind, the footbridge must work in tandem with the swing bridge, & whether it has two sections that rotate through 90 degrees as does the swing bridge, or it has two hydraulic vertically raised sections, this is for the designers. The location will be close enough to be seen by the bridge control people, and will also be close enough to either be operated by fob type controls, or perhaps hard wired or direct hand operation. The bridges being so close will ensure that the same guys who operate the swing, will also control the closure of the footbridge.
It’s been well over a hundred years since the swing bridge was built & it’s a marvelous much loved bridge we must keep. In the twelve years I’ve resided in Whitby I’ve witnessed the huge increase in the use of the swing bridge by pedestrians. There are so many near misses with cars and pedestrians it’s only a matter of time until something terrible happens, so we must do something. There might be a valid reason why the location of my suggestion is wrong and I’ll accept that, but I urge you all to start to discuss this situation. A united town council with the talent we have can get this situation started. It starts by us getting the funding to do a feasibility study on the cost and location, and then it will be surely happen. Let’s put any differences aside & work together. Most mayors or mayoresses tend to do two or three years, so wouldn’t it be fantastic to witness a lifelong Whitby girl open the footbridge. The sooner we talk about it, the more chance we have of Sandra opening it.
Sorry for the long email but those of you who are still reading it now, I’m very grateful.
Kindest regards,
Councillor Michael Harrison
[Satire]
