Weel Bridge – inspections and surveys

Framework

YORconsult2

Client

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Contractor

Mason Clark Associates Limited

Value

£1,199,999

David Barr

18th March 2026

Mason Clark delivering with YORconsult

Weel Bridge is a single-lane lifting bridge that provides a vital connection between the village of Weel and Beverley.
This Category 3 structure is unique in its aluminium through-truss design, lifting from the west via a mechanical drive system.
Despite strengthening works in the early 2000s, the bridge remained vulnerable to wear, with increasing traffic volumes accelerating deterioration.

Weel Bridge’s 3-tonne weight limit is difficult to enforce, and frequent crossings by heavier vehicles have led to ongoing damage. The narrow footprint of the structure also made it challenging to improve pedestrian access while maintaining traffic flow.
Mason Clark Associates (MCA) were appointed via YORconsult2, to explore options for targeted strengthening, restricted access for larger vehicles, and improve pedestrian safety across the structure.

Development of a Strengthening and Refurbishment Scheme

Key Challenges and solutions

Winter working constraints: To minimise disruption to road and river users, works were scheduled for winter. This raised concerns about quality control during repainting. MCA proposed lifting the bridge out entirely, allowing repainting to be completed in a controlled fabrication shop environment.
Lack of accurate record drawings: Previous strengthening works had left gaps in documentation. MCA used in-house 3D laser scanning during a routine bridge lift to produce preliminary drawings and accelerate the survey process, reducing public disruption.
Space limitations: Improving pedestrian access and restricting vehicle size within a tight footprint required creative design solutions, developed in close collaboration with ERYC and the TAA.

Weel Bridge raised

MCA’s Contribution

MCA managed all site surveys, including:

Ecology survey
Intrusive paint survey
Type 3 asbestos survey
Mechanical and electrical surveys
Control systems survey
Principal Inspection via land, boat, and MEWP

All design services were delivered by MCA’s in-house engineering team, including a feasibility study of various strengthening options to the structural members of the bridge.

Weel Bridge angle from west bank

Results

Significant progress has been made on the strengthening and refurbishment scheme for Weel Bridge.

While the project is still ongoing, several key milestones have been successfully delivered:

Pedestrian access improvements and safety enhancements have been designed and agreed for construction.
Measures to restrict larger vehicles have been developed and are being integrated into the scheme.
A lifting plan for the temporary removal of the bridge to replace the damaged structural members and to undertake high-quality repainting works has been developed.
Detailed inspections and surveys have been completed, enabling accurate planning and reduced disruption to the public.
Esh Constructions have been appointed as a main contractor to undertake the proposed strengthening and refurbishment of the bridge.

Weel bridge platform