Whorlton Bridge, County Durham set to reopen this summer

Whorlton Bridge, which spans the River Tees, has been closed since 2019 after safety concerns revealed it could no longer support vehicles or even pedestrians.

Now, following a major redesign and more than £12 million in repairs, the Grade II*-listed structure is expected to welcome people back later this year.

Whorlton Bridge, which spans the River Tees, has been closed since 2019 (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Durham County Council (DCC) previously said the project has proven far more challenging than first anticipated.

Originally estimated to cost £8.4 million, the restoration has already exceeded that by £3.6 million, with almost all of the bridge’s historic components deemed unusable.

The 193-year-old suspension bridge, one of the oldest of its kind in the UK (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 193-year-old suspension bridge, one of the oldest of its kind in the UK, was dismantled piece by piece in the hope that original materials could be restored and reused.

However, specialist testing found that around 96 per cent of its 1,800 components were beyond saving.

Mark Readman, DCC’s head of highways, previously said the structure’s historic status made the work particularly complex.

First opened in 1831, it was originally built to carry horse-drawn carts (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“Whorlton Bridge is a Grade II-listed structure of international significance, which also provides a vital link between Whorlton village and nearby communities,” he said.

“As a Scheduled Monument, its restoration has been an intricate process, with special consent required for all work.”

Initial structural assessments painted a stark picture.

Engineers found the bridge could not withstand load conditions for either vehicles or pedestrians, with critical failures identified in the main chains and link pins.

A further analysis confirmed it would not be safe even for pedestrian use alone, forcing its full closure in December 2020 after an earlier vehicle ban.

Originally estimated to cost £8.4 million, the restoration has already exceeded that by £3.6 million (Image: STUART BOULTON)

First opened in 1831, it was originally built to carry horse-drawn carts transporting coal.

It has retained a 3-tonne weight limit since 1914 and is considered one of the earliest surviving iron chain suspension bridges in the country.

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill famously stood on the bridge to observe military training exercises along the River Tees.

Despite the setbacks, the project is now entering its final stages.

A new design has been completed, replacement components have been manufactured, and reassembly is due to begin this spring.

The installation of a new deck is scheduled for June, putting the bridge on track to reopen later this summer.

DCC said the aim has always been to preserve the bridge’s historic character while ensuring it is safe for future generations.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience during the restoration,” Mr Readman previously added.