Bridge Removed from River Hull in £1m Upgrade

A bridge in East Yorkshire has been taken out of the River Hull as part of a £1 million upgrade project.

The Weel Bridge, which has been in place since the 1950s, was lifted out in a major operation using a large crane.

The 70‑year‑old bridge — which has connected Beverley with the nearby village of Weel since the 1950s, was carefully removed in a highly coordinated operation that saw a huge crane lift the 20‑tonne structure clear of the river.

Instead of fixing it on-site, engineers have taken it to a specialist facility where the work can be carried out more safely and efficiently.

While it’s had repairs over the years, it’s reached the point where a more serious overhaul is needed.

Rather than trying to carry out complex repairs over water, engineers decided the safest and most effective option was to remove the structure entirely and refurbish it off-site.

The bridge has now been transported to Sheffield, where it will undergo specialist repairs, upgrades, and safety improvements.

Once the work is complete, the bridge won’t just be repaired — it’s also set to be improved.

Planned upgrades include strengthening the structure, improving reliability, and adding a shared footpath and cycleway to make it safer for non-drivers too.

It’s all part of a bigger push to modernise older infrastructure while making roads safer and more accessible for everyone.

The refurbishment is expected to take around 12 weeks. During that time, the bridge will be strengthened and upgraded to make it safer and more reliable for everyday use.

When it returns, the bridge will also have improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, including a shared path across the crossing.

In the meantime, the road is closed and drivers will need to follow diversion routes while the work is carried out.

Although the closure is causing some disruption locally, the project is aimed at extending the life of the bridge and making it safer for everyone who uses it in the future.

Photography credit: © East Riding of Yorkshire Council