Press Release from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Newland Bridge Update: Snaith
Temporary traffic lights will be in operation in Snaith town centre from next Tuesday (8 September) for the start of the new school term. The lights are part of the traffic management for a major engineering project on Newland Bridge which has seen part of the A645 closed between Rawcliffe Roundabout and Drax.
The bridge, which carries the A645 over the River Aire, has also been closed since the essential repair work started in July.
As part of the project’s safety arrangements, non-HGV traffic has been diverted via the A1041 through Snaith and a temporary one-way system in Market Place was introduced in the town.
Temporary traffic lights were also installed for the roundabout, to manage any additional traffic when the A645 was closed, but they have not been needed yet.
However, the three-way traffic lights will start to operate on Tuesday, 8 September to help with the expected increase of peak time traffic due to the start of the new school term.
The lights will be in operation for periods on mornings and afternoons and will be monitored over the following week to determine the best times to have them switched on.
Councillor Andy Burton, portfolio holder for planning, highways and transportation at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We have had the traffic signals ready since the start of the work but so far they have not been required. However, this is expected to change once the schools re-open.
“As with every aspect of the traffic management of this project, we will monitor the impact of using the lights once the schools re-start and will review it accordingly.
“We appreciate the essential bridge repair works and the diversions are an inconvenience to some people but the bridge repairs are vital and we again request people remain patient with us while we aim to complete the scheme as soon as possible.
“We also request people allow more time for their journeys as temporary speed limits are in place and there may be some delays in peak periods due to the additional traffic.”
Council project manager Adrian Smith stressed that the A1041 from the North of Snaith is not a HGV diversion route as the existing weight limit in Snaith is still in force. HGVs have been diverted to use the M62, A19, A1 (M)/A63 and the A63 between Barlby and Howden instead to avoid the weight limit.
Mr Smith said: “We have worked closely with North Yorkshire County Council and Drax Power Station on the co-ordination of this scheme and national road haulage associations were informed about the closure so they could tell their members.
“However some HGV drivers are continuing to use the A1041 and are ignoring the weight restrictions on the road. We are doing as much as we can to prevent this, for example by putting up additional signage, and the police are providing enforcement of the weight restrictions and other temporary traffic regulation in addition to their regular routine operations in this area.”
Mr Smith also reminded motorists to respect the temporary one-way system in Market Place, Snaith, and to drive with extra care at the roundabout and pinch point in the town centre.
He said: “On the whole, people have been very sensible, patient and understanding of the work and traffic flow requirements and we thank them for that.
“We would also remind motorists, cyclists and pedestrians that Newland Bridge and parts of the A645 will remain fully closed to them for the duration of the project in the interests of public safety owing to the nature and scale of the repair work.”
Mr Smith said the repairs to Newland Bridge were progressing well, with the scheme due to be completed this winter.
