DIVERS have inspected bridges along York’s River Foss to assess their condition after the devastating 2015 floods - and will check out bridges over the Ouse later this year.

Underwater and above ground inspections of the Foss’s bridges have concluded that most are generally in a good condition, according to reports obtained by The Press through the Freedom of Information Act.

However, the Blue Bridge - used by pedestrians and cyclists near the river’s confluence with the Ouse - is said to be in a ‘very poor condition, due to the state of the timber deck which requires attention immediately.’

The engineer says a new deck is needed, at an estimated cost of £15,000, and also recommends that an overhaul of the mechanism for lifting the bridge should be considered, but says no significant structural defects have been noted.

York Press:

Castle Mills Bridge is said to be in ‘overall reasonable condition,’ with repainting and repairs required at an estimated cost of £16,000.

Above ground inspections of the city centre bridges over the River Ouse show they are generally in good condition, but diving inspections are needed to check for ‘scour’ - the riverbed phenomenon which led to the partial collapse of Tadcaster Bridge when the River Wharfe flooded badly in late 2015.

The reports say Lendal is in ‘overall good condition,’ but the carriageway needs resurfacing at an estimated cost of £30,000.

At Ouse Bridge, the spans are said to be in good condition, but the report states: “Diving inspection needed to be carried out to determine if any scour occurring at the pier base.”

A report on Skeldergate Bridge says it is in ‘reasonable condition,’ but with ‘corrosion to deck and beam elements.’

City of York Council, which commissioned the inspections, said they did not raise any causes for concern.

“It is not considered that there are any current indications of structural problems with the bridges in York ,” said a spokeswoman.

“Underwater inspections are generally undertaken as a precautionary measure to check the underwater condition of bridges. Underwater inspections have recently been carried out on the bridges along the River Foss.

“Further inspections will be undertaken on the River Ouse this year.”