Decision details

Award of the contract for Newton Grange Canal (Changeline) Bridge Strengthening to Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Limited

Procurement and Project Summary: Newton Grange Canal (Changeline) Bridge Repairs
An Expression of Interest procurement exercise was undertaken, during which several contractors registered their interest. Thomas Armstrong (TA) emerged as the top-ranked contractor on the framework. TA has successfully delivered a number of high-profile projects for the Council and consistently produces high-quality results. We have no reservations about awarding this contract to them.

Project Background:
The Newton Grange Canal (Changeline) Bridge is owned and maintained by the Canal & River Trust (CRT). Over recent years, the bridge has experienced significant deterioration, primarily due to the frequent passage of heavy loads associated with the nearby dairy farm. This has resulted in notable structural damage, including deformation of the arch on the south side and outward displacement of the northwest parapet to the point of near collapse.
As a safety measure, CRT has closed the bridge to boat traffic, and North Yorkshire Council (NYC) has implemented width restrictions to protect the most severely affected area.

Repair Strategy:
The current plan involves:
• Immediate repair of the damaged arch section under the existing width restriction.
• Structural strengthening of the bridge by replacing the internal fill and surfacing, including a raised profile on either side. These works will be undertaken under a 72-hour road closure. This will upgrade the bridge to meet 44-tonne load requirements.
• Widening the northern approach to improve access and safeguard the parapets.

Due to the critical condition of the arch and the need for urgent intervention, we have expedited the appointment of Thomas Armstrong. Furthermore, the design provided by WSP presents several limitations and unknowns. As such, we propose proceeding under Option E, which offers a more flexible and pragmatic contractual framework. This will facilitate efficient delivery, maximise value for money, and enable the most effective use of the available budget while delivering substantial improvements to the highway network.

Imposing a weight restriction on the bridge has been assessed; however, this measure would have significant negative implications. The bridge serves as the sole access route for the adjacent dairy farm, which relies on regular passage of heavy vehicles for both incoming supplies and outgoing product transport. Introducing a weight limit would severely disrupt their operations, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the business.

Additionally, there is a substantial risk that such restrictions could be ignored—whether inadvertently or intentionally—given the operational pressures on the farm. Non-compliance could accelerate the deterioration of the already compromised structure, increasing the likelihood of structural failure or complete collapse.

For these reasons, a weight restriction is not considered a viable long-term solution, and urgent structural intervention is required.