Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?

Subject: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:39 PM

Firstly, Must state that I don't want to be alarmist but here's the story.
Went with Mrs A, to Whitby today. Lovely weather, had a good walk, great couple of pints and excellent fish and chips. Problem though, the bridge in the middle of town is broken and closed to road and pedestrian traffic!Its open to seafaring traffic only.Cars, buses, horses and carts and the likes of you and me can only get from one side to the other by a ferry,(at a cost of £1 each way), a free shuttle bus, which is inadequate, or a taxi, which is expensive.
Local traders are incensed about this inconvenience and damage to their trade and I saw notices advertising meetings at various places, to chew over the issue.
Upon questioning a few locals, it seems that the estimated time for the bridge repair to be completed ranges from one, to eight weeks.
If it's the latter, it will seriously impinge upon folkies at the festival. Imagine having your freedom to roam at will and partake of all the festival's delights curtailed by having to pay a quid (and stand in a queue) every time you want to cross from the East side to the West (or vice-versa). God knows, I must cross over four or five times a day when at the festival! What about families? It's gonna cost them a fortune!

The big question is, can any Whitby catters throw light on the issue or seek out and provide some 'official' or reliable information. It's certainly got me worried.

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:53 PM

Well, it will seriously impinge on the regatta too! I expect that there will be strenuous efforts to get the bridge sorted within the next 3-4 weeks...?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 02:05 PM

I work in the harbour area, and will spend tomorrow as part of the ferry service you mention. Our company has been asked to run the official service until next weekend, but we have no proper info on the repairs duration, I think the week is just to see how things go. A variable number of angling boats are running people across as well.

Very few in town are happy with the situation, and the longer it lasts the unhappier things will become.

As & when I have better info I will report back. Right now I can see no magic bullet solution.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 02:42 PM

I should have thought of this sooner; the Bridge website currently says

"THE BREAKDOWN: The Swing Bridge is still not working and will be closed over this weekend and into next week. There is a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes and some boat-owners are running a ferry service. We will try to keep you updated. Please email if you have any further reliable information." (my italics).

You also get to look at a webcam feed on there.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Michael
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 02:59 PM

Do you think they'll cancel the Regatta?

Mike

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Chris Partington
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 03:03 PM

Nice webcam images. Where are all the bridge repairmen?
What's up with the bridge?

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: JHW
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 04:34 PM

No need to cancel the Regatta. The river is still open.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 05:51 PM

As far as I am aware a vital piece of the turning mechanism is kaput. As the bridge is a hundred years old there isn't a lot of spare parts to be had. I also heard that the first spare part they found didn't fit.

Speaking to someone on the way home from the office yesterday and they said five weeks before its fixed. I also heard this from some one else but it may be just a rumour. (of which there are always plenty to be had in this place!)

CC

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 07:17 PM

Tonight I heard two rumours, one supposedly from the Marina Master, the other supposedly from the Borough Engineer, but each at one person removed. Either of these sources ought to be as near to authoritative as can be found, but the rumours were different.

What they had in common was that it won't be a quick job.

I will report when (if) I get anything more concrete, but the Commander is closer to official sources than I am, and he is spot on with the rumours comment.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 04:22 AM

Thanks to Gnomad and the Commander for what they've told us for now. Keep ferreting around for info. you folks, I for one am grateful for your efforts. Personally I feel it would be a disaster for folkies if the bridge wasn't open to pedestrians for Folk Week, apart from the present and ongoing effects on the citizens and businesses in the town. Must be a nightmare for them! One obvious question is, has the local authority published any official information on the state of play and future plans? That would be interesting and maybe reassuring!

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:13 AM

Are there alternative venues that could be used for the events scheduled on the far side of the bridge?

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:35 AM

Sorry to hear this – it's very bad news for all the venues and shops on the East Side.   Also bad news for festival-goers, tourists and locals, who will probably find the West Side uncomfortably overcrowded. And what can be done about it in time for this year's festival?   

IMHO, sweet Fanny Adams - here's why.

Time needed to find an original replacement part for a bridge built 100 years ago = forever. (Forget it)

Time needed to find a reliable engineering firm willing and able to make a suitable spare part from scratch = several months. (If you're lucky).

Time needed to make, deliver and fit the spare part = several weeks. (If you're very lucky.)

Time needed to discover whether the bridge now works properly = several days. (If you're very, very lucky.)

Time needed for litigation with suppliers if it doesn't work = several years. (Good news for the lawyers. Bad news for everyone else.)

Time needed for commissioning, building and opening a new bridge = many, many years. (Good news for Whitby – eventually. Bad news for old folkies like me who may not live long enough to use it.)

But what the heck – Whitby is unique,and I love it. So I'll probably keep on going back there for as long as I'm still above ground and mobile.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:43 AM

Has nobody written a song about this yet?!!!!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 06:24 AM

I suggest a parody of Woe Betide You, Annan Water, or maybe Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Valmai

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Raggytash
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:23 AM

Andy, as I resident of this fair town I have found crossing the river by ferry to be quicker and more comfortable than trying to cross the bridge being jostled about by vast numbers of people, local and visitors alike. Where is the bulldog spirit, yes it could be considered inconvenient but only if you let it. On a personal note I actually like crossing by ferry and providing I am not in a hurry it is only a 25 minute walk to go up and over the new bridge, down the footpath, cross over the railway and up by the Co-Op.

Cheers

Nick

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:17 AM

Raggy,
Don't want to be a doom and gloom merchant and I, indeed have some of that spirit of which you speak. However, when the town is crowded with thousands of extra bodies, as in Folk Week surely the ferry service will be stretched to breaking (or sinking) point? I tried to get the shuttle bus from outside the Endeavour yesterday and after queueing for about 5 minutes, still couldn't get on because of the volume of people. Also there was a long queue for the ferry. Had to get a taxi 'cos I was running short of parking time. It's notable that the bus was a single decker. Surely a double would be better? Another concern are the problems which may be experienced by less-able people. It may be OK for fit folks to walk the 25 minutes round trip and no doubt very bracing. However, not all are capable of doing that a couple of times a day! Also, will these services (bus and ferry) be available till late, when the pubs shut? I shall still be there to enjoy the festival whatever happens, as I have for the last 35 years, but unless the bridge is operational I anticipate some aching legs, inconvenience and a slightly thinner wallet.

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:29 AM

Ooh! Could be fun - especially with the dogs! Some rearranging of personal scedules may be necessary but I'm going to be there and enjoy myself come what may! (Fingers crossed all the same!)

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Ann N
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:32 AM

As a bonus to walking across the new bridge there are the lovely views over town. When I go up to my friends on Helredale for coffee one of the added pleasures is leaning on the new bridge railings for 5 minutes, looking out to sea and just watching the world go by. If the Swing Bridge is repaired for Regatta and Folk Week it will be good but it's not the end of the world if it isn't, there's always feet, ferry and shuttle bus :) Cheers   Ann ( busy trying to remember all the tunes she used to know off by heart ready for Folk Week )

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From:
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:37 AM

Just seen the local telly news with an interview with the SBC chappie. Sourcing a new gear box from Italy - here by Wednesday. 2 days to install. He expects the bridge to be in working order by the weekend.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:40 AM

Jack - it ain't that simple! It's not just venues, there's accommodation and pubs and fringe and fish and chips and the abbey and jet and the Farmer's market and pie and and and...

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Ann N
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:50 AM

I'll have to nip back into town and have a trip across the river on the ferry before it stops running :)

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 08:55 AM

I guess it's to be hoped that it won't be pissing down with rain for that week. That would really help the situation.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 10:30 AM

It never rains in the pub

Joe Nicholson

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Tig
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 10:53 AM

Gomad - even if the bridge IS mended by Folk Week do you fancy persuading your company to run a ferry service that week anyway?

Sod the £1. I fancy being ferried across the harbour!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 11:02 AM

Depends *which* pub. The Mason's Arms in Loanhead (used for a session once a month) got a deluge last year that demolished the roof of the ladies' loo. Took weeks to fix.

I can think of guys who would have seen that as divine retribution for letting them in.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 01:40 PM

The problem with the bridge does have a positive side, less traffic both sides of it.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Lynn W
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 04:33 PM

Well, it could lead to an interesting change of music as people would surely spend more time on the side they were staying - I am stopping on the East side so much less Irish music than usual (the Ship) but I would have the Board, the rowing clubs, Black Horse, Endeavour, Fleece, Middle Earth to name those that first come to mind. I would have to do the food shopping before I went though!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 06:19 PM

11.15pm, have just got in from work, we have heard nothing official during the day re bridge repairs.

If the bridge is repaired for Folk Week (PLEASE let it be so) our company wouldn't be in a position to continue a ferry service as
1)We are currently running through the bridge opening, once that closes we could not get under for most of the tide
2)We do not normally have any authority to use the angling boat pontoon, which is where we are running to, sorry Tig, Oh yes, and
3)We are taking a party of lovely festival-goers to Staithes one day that week!

On the other hand there are several angling boats running a ferry service as well, maybe they will get a taste for it, and run it onwards.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 06:57 PM

Has anyone checked with the Organisers or Scarborough Council?

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:00 PM

Gnomad's link to the bridge website pretty well sums up the current position...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:25 PM

According to local sources £1500 a day is to be earned running a ferry boat and the 'Dolphin' pub has spread it's outside tables across the road up to the bridge. Talk about making hay!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:28 PM

According to BBC Look North tonight, it will be fixed by the end of the week.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Guest Betsy
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:55 PM

The problem is mechanical - old gears - The council Chief Engineer is a Civil Engineer i.e 2 of sand and 1 of cement. Don't hold your breath for a quick solution but let's hope all is OK for the Fest.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 09:07 PM

BBC Look North ain't engineers and have probably taken SBC by their word!!!

New gearbox for a one hundred year old bridge from Italy and they expect it to fit perfectly in two days.

1. I doubt if the gearbox is a small item like what you would bolt into a BMW.

2. I've heard they need a rather large crane to install it.

I'm usually a fairly optimistic person myself but SBC said the sea defences at Scarborough would take two years and 24 million to do. I believe in the end it took three years and cost £51 million.

Yours sceptically

CC

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 05:05 AM

Suppose it's time to regenerate the Aefleda Terrace Chair Lift Scheme

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: r.padgett
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 07:55 AM

Any ATMs on the Church st side? that is Endeavour, Fleece, Middlearth side?

Looks like taxis to and from Conservative club, assuming they will be there!

Aelfleda TCLS likely to be built before the bridge is repaired I reckon Jimmy

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: vectis
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 07:58 AM

A horizontal version across the river would be excellent.

Maybe I'll bring the kayak to Whitby this year?

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 08:40 AM

No bank or other free outdoor ATM on the east side, Ray. I think the Shambles had one of those "in shop" type machines last time I went in there, but I suspect it would be one of those that levies a transaction fee for all cards and I don't know whether it is still there.

There is, however, a small Post Office, might they offer anything suitable?

Whitby Gazette is reporting a spare which is being airfreighted from Italy at £25k, should be here Thurs with possible re-opening Friday. Here's hoping. We are also told that a second replacement is being made, so that the east leaf of the bridge (which is not broken at the moment) can have its similar part replaced during a quieter time this winter, so perhaps some good may come of all this.

The ferry situation is causing some decidedly unpleasant behaviour, and I know that I am not alone in being concerned at some ferry-related safety matters. The matter will be resolved eventually, but that cannot come too soon in my book.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Tig
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 08:53 AM

Ah, well. I've already booked my ticket on your excellent vessel to go to Staithes.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge. Poss. Festival problems?
From: GUEST,SID
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:07 PM

"In t' days afoor t'Transporter Bridge were put up,
A ferry boat lay in the slip,
An' owd Ted the Boatman would row foalks across
At per tuppence, per person, per trip."

-- I'll sort it out when I get there: Albert Ramsbottom!

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: gnomad
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:26 AM

Scarborough BC Statement as at Tuesday 27/7/10

Let us hope it all goes as planned.

8.25am, I'm off to play ferrymen.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:34 AM

Isn't it sad that the nation that saw the dawn of the Industrial Revolution has to rely on an overseas engineering company to pull us out of it....but well done the Italians!

But that's a whole new (B.S.) thread.

JJ

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:45 AM

Just for Gnomad

The Ferryman

Who Pays The Ferryman

Whitby Bridge

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: GUEST,Wombat
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:27 AM

Small rowing boat and kayak for sale! PM Raggytash for details.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:33 AM

Is there no-one in Whitby who can walk on water ?

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:34 AM

Where are those Mudcatters who can walk on water, when you need them?

What we need is Ferries at the Bottom of the Garden

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 08:18 AM

Well folkies always need a good old wash at these festivals, so why not swim across. It will wash the clothes as well, so you want need to take any change of clothes with you. Won't take long to dry out if it is nice and sunny. :-)

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: nutty
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 08:24 AM

I seem to remember (some years ago) contributing to a cable car aimed at crossing the river.

I think the inventor must have absconded with the proceeds (or spent them on beer)
Had it been built it would be making a fortune now.

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: r.padgett
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 08:56 AM

Errm ask McFat he may know summat Hazel!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby bridge out - Possible Festival problems?
From: MC Fat
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 09:46 AM

I resemble that remark !!!! Contributions were taken for the massive engineering project and plans were on show each year at the Tap Spile. I beilieve in the absence of major governmant money those proceeds went to the lifeboat.