Weel Bridge was craned back over the River Hull on 12 September, about nine weeks late. The council blames corrosion damage and names no reopening date.

Update, 27 September 2026: Weel Bridge reopened to traffic on the evening of Friday 25 September. Read the reopening story.

Weel Bridge is back over the River Hull. A 250-tonne crane lifted the refurbished bridge onto its bearings at the end of Grovehill Road on Saturday 12 September.

The road between Beverley and Weel is still shut. East Riding of Yorkshire Council says engineers need “a couple of weeks” for installation, commissioning and safety checks before the bridge reopens. It has not named a day. The Beverley household waste recycling site on Weel Road reopens when the bridge does. (East Riding of Yorkshire Council, 14 September 2026)

Why it took about nine weeks longer

When the bridge came out on 18 April, the council said the route would close “for around 12 weeks, until the bridge can be lifted back in place in July”. (East Riding of Yorkshire Council, April 2026) It went back 21 weeks after it came out, about nine weeks later than that plan.

On 6 September we reported that the council had published no revised date and no reason. This week’s release gives the reason. Esh Construction, the council’s contractor, found “further crucial new damage within the aluminium structure, caused by corrosion over the years”. The council says that delayed the work by two months.

Weel Bridge: planned against actual A timeline from 18 April 2026, when the bridge was lifted out. The council planned to put it back in July, about 12 weeks later. It went back on 12 September, 21 weeks after removal, which the council says was a two-month delay caused by newly found corrosion damage. The council says checks will take a couple of weeks before the road reopens, and has not given a date. Back 21 weeks after it came out, against a plan of 12 Weeks from the lift-out on Saturday 18 April 2026 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 Planned back in July about 12 weeks Actual back in place 12 Sept delay the council puts at two months checks: "a couple of weeks" the original plan ran out here Dashed box: the council's estimate for checks. No reopening date has been published. Source: East Riding of Yorkshire Council news releases, 20 April and 14 September 2026. Graphic by East Riding Today

One detail has changed between the two releases. In April the council said the bridge was going to Sheffield for its refurbishment. This week it says the work was done at Blyth, near Doncaster.

What was done to the bridge

The council cost the job at £1 million. It lists the work as:

  • structural repairs and strengthening of the aluminium structure
  • mechanical, electrical and bridge control system upgrades
  • safety improvements, including parapet refurbishment
  • road realignment to improve vehicle access and visibility for drivers
  • a wider shared footway and cycleway

The bridge also has a new operating system for raising and lowering it for boats, and new blue paint. The limits for drivers are unchanged: a three-tonne weight limit and a 3.3 metre height restriction.

Weel Bridge is a bascule bridge, which means it lifts to let boats through. It was built in 1953, and last had major improvements in 2012.

Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, thanked “local residents, drivers and users of the recycling site for their patience and understanding over these past few months”.

What it means for you

Driving to Weel. Nothing changes yet. Traffic between Beverley and Weel is still signed via Weel Road and the A1035 Bridlington to Beverley road. Grovehill Road has no through route to Weel Road until the bridge reopens.

Taking rubbish. The Beverley tip stays shut until the bridge reopens. The council’s nearest alternative household waste recycling sites are:

  • Humberfield, 408 Boothferry Road, Hessle, HU13 0JL
  • Driffield, Church Lane, Driffield, YO25 5XE
  • Hornsea, Atwick Road, Hornsea, HU18 1EJ

Opening hours differ by site, so check the council’s recycling site finder before you set off.

Walking and cycling. When the route reopens, the approach will be straighter and the shared path wider than before.

“A couple of weeks” from 12 September points to late September, but that is our reading, not a council date. We will add the reopening day to our East Riding roadworks and travel page when the council publishes it. Questions about the scheme go to Highways Customer Care on (01482) 393939.

Frequently asked questions

Is Weel Bridge open?

Not yet. The bridge was lifted back into place on 12 September 2026, but the council says installation, commissioning and safety checks will take a couple of weeks before it reopens.

Why was Weel Bridge closed so long?

The council says Esh Construction found new corrosion damage inside the aluminium structure, which delayed the work by two months. It had planned to put the bridge back in July.

When does the Beverley tip on Weel Road reopen?

At the same time as the bridge. The council has not given a date for either.

Has the weight limit on Weel Bridge changed?

No. The three-tonne weight limit and 3.3 metre height restriction stay the same.

Sources