A LOCAL councillor has backed residents’ concerns over the state of the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge after locals claimed the surface was already showing signs of disrepair - and council bosses admit they were aware of concerns before the project’s completion.
The structure - which opened as Market Gate Bridge late last year - cost an estimated £13m to build.
It links the Glass Works with the transport interchange and has been hailed as a key part of the town centre’s regeneration.
The scheme had been plagued with delays in the run up to its opening last December - mainly down to the original contractor, NMCN, falling into administration which resulted in delays due to finding a new company to take over.
Keltbray stepped in but changes were then made to the bridge’s specification including drainage, hard and soft landscaping finishes and pedestrian incursion measures.
Extra bills relating to the temporary bridge and football traffic management were also accrued.
Despite its opening being largely successful and the structure itself looking impressive, locals have continued to air their concerns about the state it is in.
In particular residents have complained about the lift - which is currently out of order due to vandalism, the council confirmed last week - and the surface which is ‘rippling up’ less than a year after it first opened.
Coun Steve Hunt, who represents Darton East as a Liberal Democrat, told the Chronicle that is ‘unacceptable’ the bridge is already showing signs of disrepair following the multi-million pound project.
He added: “It is extremely disappointing - £13m of public money was spent on this project and the bridge surface is not in first class condition.
“The costs have spiralled from the original budget for various reasons and I find it unacceptable that despite the vast sum spent that the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge already showing this problem after less than a year of use.
“I am also aware that the lifts are often out of use for extended periods causing huge inconvenience for those who need to use them.
“I look forward to seeing big improvements going forward.”
Barnsley Council officers confirmed to Coun Hunt that they were aware of concerns around the surface - and those working on the project had even raised their concerns with the contractor themselves.
The council subsequently commissioned a third-party survey to check the surface but it ultimately met the tolerance set in national specification for highways works.
Bosses therefore say they cannot obligate the contractor to carry out any rectification work and that the bridge does ‘not present a health and safety risk’.
The council has no plans to carry out any further work.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, told the Chronicle: “The Tommy Taylor Bridge has been investigated by a third-party professional and the levels were surveyed.
“The survey confirmed that the surface meets the guidelines set in the national specification for highway works.”
