Goole Swing Bridge’s major refurbishment gets underway

Goole Swing Bridge will see extensive refurbishment work carried out, delivering an array of upgrades to the 154-year-old structure, including the renewal of the operating plant, including:

• The hydraulic turning and jacking systems
• Control system
• Electricity supply
• Navigation lights

The project will get started on the iconic bridge this Saturday the 3rd of June and will be ongoing until Sunday the 2nd of July.

Since the bridge opened in 1869, it has supported rail freight, passengers and river users travelling between Doncaster and Hull, allowing them to continue their journeys across the River Ouse.

The historic structure also marks one of the largest and oldest surviving rail swing bridges in the country and also one of Network Rail's oldest signalling structures.

The bridge still uses most of its original hydraulic machinery from when it was first built, which is due to its Grade II listed status and this major refurbishment will support its ongoing use, keeping both rail and river traffic on the move for decades to come.

Due to the essential work, there will be some disruption to Northern services travelling between Doncaster and Hull and therefore passengers travelling this route are advised to check their travel plans using either National Rail Enquiries or via Northern's dedicated webpage.

Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull on the following dates:

• From Saturday 3 June until Monday the 5th of June
• Saturday the 17th of June and Sunday the 18th of June.

Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Goole and Hull on the following dates:

• From Tuesday the 6th of June until Sunday the 2nd of July, not including Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June.

James Wright, Senior Portfolio Manager at Network Rail, said: “This bridge has reliably served passengers travelling between Doncaster and Hull for over 150 years and is rightly considered one of the finest swing bridges in Britain, so I'm incredibly excited to see it benefit from much-needed upgrades.”

“The crucial project will ensure that the structure can continue to operate safely and reliably, bringing it into the 21st century whilst retaining its rich heritage. I'd like to thank passengers for their patience whilst we push ahead this work and I look forward to the improved bridge reopening next month.”

Tony Baxter, Regional Director at Northern, said: “Improvements like these at Goole are essential and we'd like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while the work is carried out.”

“Replacement bus services will be running between Goole and Hull, and we urge passengers to check before they travel.”

Further work will take place later this year in order to refurbish and recommission the bridge's turning engines.