Bridge refurbishment in Manifold Valley completed

The repairs to Dayhole Bridge, a fixture of Manifold Valley since the early 1900s, should extend its life for another century.

The £650,000 project was delivered on time and within budget by Staffordshire County Council.  It included repairing the original early 1900’s rivet plate girders which served the original railway line.   Crews also re-decked the bridge with a new concrete deck and parapets to extend the design life of the bridge for another 120 years to comply with modern standards.

In addition to the bridge works, crews are also carrying out repairs on the drystone wall supporting the road onto the bridge.

Originally built as part of a light railway providing access to the copper mines from 1904 to 1934, the bridge is now used by pedestrians, cyclists, local farmers, businesses and emergency vehicles.

Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“Dayhole Bridge is an important part of Manifold Valley’s heritage and transport network, so we’re delighted to see it fully restored and reopened to the public.

“This project is one of many highways schemes in our plans and investment to improve roads and bridges right across the county.  Delivering the project on time and within budget reflects the skill and dedication of our highways teams.”

Tim Walton from the nearby Swainsley Fishing Club, whose members regularly use the bridge, added:

“We were all delighted to see the bridge restored and back open.

“It’s a fairly well used bridge and a busy area for tourism and leisure activities, including fishing. The crews did a good job getting the work done as efficiently as they did.  It was also great that the river was not disrupted by the works and the clean-up post works was fantastic.  Here’s to the next 120 years of the bridge.”

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