EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council is pleased to announce that Hagg Bridge on the B1228 between Sutton Upon Derwent and Melbourne has reopened today (March 31).

The reopening of the strengthened bridge was delayed when the concrete supplied and placed by the contractor was found to be defective in strength and durability.

A protective coating had to be applied to the defective concrete to increase its durability to acceptable levels - and some elements of the originally completed work on the bridge had to be taken down and re-built afterwards.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesperson said : “We apologise sincerely for the lengthy delay to the completion of this bridge scheme, and for the long period of closure of the B1228. We thank road users and local residents for their patience and understanding.

“The works have now safeguarded the long term future of this bridge on this key route.”

The work on the bridge involved the construction of a concrete slab across the bridge to strengthen the structure, which goes over the Pocklington Canal and The Beck.

Due to the narrow road at this site, new permanent traffic lights have also been installed on either side to allow traffic to cross over the bridge from one direction at a time.

Safety barriers have also been installed along the length of the bridge.