Old Tram Bridge scaffolding damaged by Storm Ashley

Storm Ashley has seen a further setback to the work on the Old Tram Bridge’s new crossing.

Gale-force winds and a swollen River Ribble mean the scaffolding put up in the river to construct one of the new bridge’s pillars has been damaged.

Eric Wright Group say they are working to ‘quickly resolve’ the latest challenge of trying to build the Ribble’s new crossing.

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It follows damage earlier this month to the cofferdam which surrounds the scaffolding when the city was hit with torrential rain, causing the Ribble to run high.

Pictures sent to Blog Preston show the scaffolding which is put up in the river looking precarious.

Managing director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, Diane Bourne, told Blog Preston: “We are aware that following the bad weather last week there has been some damage to the scaffold at our Tram Bridge site.

“Our team is in the process of arranging the scaffolding’s safe removal, given its present condition. There has been no further damage since and we hope to have this resolved quickly.”

Engineers had said following the demolition of the former tram bridge in August, which was completed ahead of schedule, they were hoping for an ‘Indian summer’ to be able to make good progress on installing one of the new bridge’s pillars.

Work is due to stop later in the winter – both due to the conditions but also to allow for the salmon spawning season to take place – before work continues in Spring next year to hopefully complete the new bridge by the end of 2025.

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