Boothferry Bridge Refurbishment Bridge Engineering Services

Overview

Boothferry Bridge is an historic crossing over the River Ouse, near Howden, in East Yorkshire.

It opened in 1929 to replace a centuries-old ferry service that had operated since at least 1513. The bridge was built to improve transport links between the north and south banks of the Humber, cutting 25 miles off the journey from Hull to London. At the time of its opening, it was the furthest downstream crossing of the Ouse and played a vital role in regional connectivity until the M62 Ouse Bridge opened in 1976.

In 2021, the bridge underwent a major refurbishment to extend its lifespan and improve safety. Mason Clark Associates (MCA) supported East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) by providing engineering consultancy and tender evaluation throughout the project.

Challenges and Solutions

Refurbishing Boothferry Bridge came with a unique set of challenges due to its age, structure, and location. We worked closely with ERYC and the contractor to overcome these issues efficiently.

To undertake the works, various permissions were required from the Canal and River Trust, Marine Management Organisation, Natural England and Trinity House.

Challenges were addressed by:

• Identifying hazards such as presence of lead paint, confined space access, working above a waterway and public segregation.
• Attending meetings with the bridge operators, in order to understand the operation of the bridge, which allowed a safe method of works to be developed, such that with limited advance notice, during most of the scheme the bridge was able to swing whilst other works continued.
• Adjusting the scope of the project, such that the safety critical elements were addressed and allowing the bridge to be reopened earlier with two-way traffic to minimise disruption.

These solutions helped keep the project on track and ensured the bridge was refurbished to a high standard.

MCA's Contribution

We provided end-to-end engineering support throughout the project, carrying out detailed inspections in line with current standards, helping to identify structural issues early and recommend practical solutions. Our team’s contribution included:

• Producing general arrangement drawings and specification appendices.
• Coordinating with statutory and local authorities to make sure our designs were safe and met all the required standards.
• Supporting the tender process by reviewing contractor submissions and pricing.
• Attending site throughout the works and advising on technical matters during the construction stage and following completion, we collated the Health and Safety file, drawings, material datasheets and other information, to aid future maintenance and servicing.
• Acting as Designer and Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations 2015.

Our collaborative approach helped the client manage risks and control costs.

Results

The Boothferry Bridge refurbishment was successfully delivered, despite some unexpected delays. In June 2022 the works were temporarily suspended due to severe traffic congestion caused by overlapping roadworks on the nearby M62 Ouse Bridge.

To minimise disruption to the public, the bridge was reopened to two-way traffic while construction was paused.

The refurbishment resumed in July 2022, and remaining works were completed, albeit with a reduced scope, while maintaining traffic flow.

Key outcomes included:

• Structural repairs to the swing span and fixed spans.
• New footpaths.
• Upgraded vehicle restraint systems and navigation lights.

The project has extended the bridge’s lifespan and improved safety, ensuring it remains a vital transport link for the region.