Trouble over village bridge sorted

Network Rail carried out technical tests on Straight Lane bridge in Goldthorpe but concluded no strengthening work was needed. 

It reopened on Saturday with a higher weight limit.

The bridge was closed over safety fears but it has caused inconvenience and extra travel time for people in Goldthorpe, who have been forced to use an alternative route through a traffic bottleneck in the village centre.

MP John Healey, who has been working with councillors and Network Rail on the issue, said: “This is good news at last for Goldthorpe. Residents have had to put up with the bridge being out of action for too long.

“The closure split Goldthorpe into two halves. It was frustrating for so many people, making it much harder and slower for people to get around. It’s a key route for people wanting to get to other parts of the village and for people wanting to get elsewhere for work.

“Barnsley Council took the decision to close it because they couldn’t be sure the bridge was safe and the old weight restrictions were right. 

“From day one, residents wanted the bridge reopened. It’s taken longer because of Covid but I want to thank senior officers from Barnsley Council and Network Rail for working together to sort out the problems. 

“I also pay tribute to councillors May Noble and Charlotte Johnson, and community campaigner Dorothy Coates, who have been listening to residents and taking their concerns up with council officers.”