Tadcaster bridge collapse (December 2015)

[yorkie]

http://m.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14170628.FLOODS__Main_bridge_collapses_in_Tadcaster___VIDEO/

Please avoid the area around #Tadcaster bridge. Emergency services are in attendance following reports it has collapsed.

The modern bridge at Tadcaster is 300 years old and was built on the stone foundations of an earlier one which was at the centre of the Battle of Tadcaster in 1642. Historically, it marked the boundary between the Ainsty of York and the West Riding.

This will no doubt take months to rebuild

Will cause problems for Coastliner and anyone living in or near Tadcaster; its the only road bridge in the town! Everyone wanting to cross by road will have to continue to divert via the A64. it has been closed since Boxing Day.

I'm sure many forum members will have been over this historic bridge.

 

[Domh245]

https://twitter.com/DaveHiggensPA/status/681883338940887041

 

[TUC]

Elland bridge has also partially collapsed today.

 

[Kite159]

Poor bridge

At least nobody was on the bridge at the time when it collapsed

 

[AM9]

http://m.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14170628.FLOODS__Main_bridge_collapses_in_Tadcaster___VIDEO/



This will no doubt take months to rebuild

Will cause problems for Coastliner and anyone living in or near Tadcaster; its the only road bridge in the town! Everyone wanting to cross by road will have to continue to divert via the A64. it has been closed since Boxing Day.

I'm sure many forum members will have been over this historic bridge.

However historic it may be, building the same again may not be a wise use of public funds. It will only be a matter of time before similar floods threaten it again, - probably a far shorter interval than the one which ended today.

 

[mikeg]

I agree it's sad to see it go. However, i must agree with AM9, reminds me of the frankly dangerous-for-modern-traffic conditions Blakey Bridge in Sowerby, nr. Thirsk which the council insist on repairing every 6 months someone crashes into it. Sooner or later, one of these bridges will take human lives, proof if any was needed that the heritage kitsch industry has gotten out of hand in our country.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

At least nobody was on the bridge at the time when it collapsed

It is at times like this flooding, that was only the short time ago when in 2009, when PC Barker met his death on the bridge at Cockermouth whilst performing his duty to the general public, at a time of valley torrential water flow under a bridge.

 

[96tommy]

I've lived in Tadcaster for 19 years before moving to London in September and its a shame to see such a lovely, historic bridge take the full force of the water. Been over that bridge 1000s and 1000s of time. I'm back here in the town with family for a few weeks and everybody is devastated about what happened not only with the bridge, but also the flooding over the last few days.

I had a walk down to the police cordon last night and there was many there who had been left without a home tonight. The bridge is essential so hopefully a temporary footbridge will be set up as the viaduct is just unsafe to use.

No one could ever imagine the bridge falling down. Every time there is flooding it gets shut for concerns over its structure being deemed unsafe but has always opened. Where I am on the east side of the town there is one supermarket but no bus services, either a shuttle bus to the other side of town or a 45 minute walk to the nearest bus stop.

 

[Ploughman]

I wonder if the old viaduct upstream of the collapsed bridge could be made use of as a temporary alternative?

 

[yorkie]

I wonder if the old viaduct upstream of the collapsed bridge could be made use of as a temporary alternative?

For walkers, yes. It's unclear whether or not that bridge is open or not (OpenStreetMap suggests it is normally) though even if it is, I'd imagine it would be very muddy at the moment.

 

[theblackwatch]

Local radio is suggesting it will be at least 12 months before the bridge is reopened, although a temporary footbridge was mentioned. Quite a few of my work colleages live in Tadcaster and are affected by this, as are others who travel through the town to get to/from work.

The old viaduct was used as a footpath until 2012, but Humphrey blocked it off, preventing people from using it - see http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/campaigners-hopes-rise-in-footpath-battle-1-6243210 - I did hear rumours that the wall may have 'gone', but unsure if this is true or not.

 

[talltim]

Who is Humphrey?

 

[yorkie]

I would help with any removal of it
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Who is Humphrey?

Humphrey Smith. Not a very nice individual.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Smith_Brewery

The GMB trade union has criticized the company for its treatment of pub managers, resulting in a number of court cases. Humphrey Smith has also pursued a number of planning application objections at the cost of Selby district council.[11][12] In October 2010, it was reported that the brewery was taking legal action against Cropton Brewery over the use of the Yorkshire white rose design.[13]

On 29 January 2012 the story emerged that Humphrey Smith had closed the Junction Inn in Royton on New Year's Eve 2011, because the landlords were dispensing too much beer in their pints. He has subsequently issued a retrospective surcharge of £10,733 for lost stock over a 12-year period.[14]

http://samsmiths.info/forum/index.php?topic=228.0

...Some of your recent actions have proved illegal, commercially self-destructive, and inhumane...

 

[Tetchytyke]

Humphrey Smith. Not a very nice individual.

A vile human being, and the main reason why I do not go to Samuel Smiths' pubs if I can help it.

I'll help with any accidental demolition unavoidable flood damage.

 

[theblackwatch]

He owns a large amount of land and many buildings/properties in the Tadcaster area.

 

[96tommy]

Having lived in Tadcaster for the last 20 years, Humphrey Smith has done nothing good for the town. Empty houses and shops everywhere what he owns. I live only a 5 minute walk from his "mansion" whilst he won't even open a path on Wighill Road for access to the viaduct, the only other option being a set of stairs which is not ideal for the elderly or those with pushchairs.


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Local radio is suggesting it will be at least 12 months before the bridge is reopened, although a temporary footbridge was mentioned. Quite a few of my work colleages live in Tadcaster and are affected by this, as are others who travel through the town to get to/from work.

The old viaduct was used as a footpath until 2012, but Humphrey blocked it off, preventing people from using it - see http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/campaigners-hopes-rise-in-footpath-battle-1-6243210 - I did hear rumours that the wall may have 'gone', but unsure if this is true or not.

Wall still there as of this morning. Took me nearly 2 hours to get from one side to the other yesterday. Hopefully a new footbridge will be put up soon. Sainsbury's is reopening next Monday (11th).

 

[yorkie]

Is there going to be a community action to get rid of the walls? I'm well up for joining in.

 

[theblackwatch]

Having lived in Tadcaster for the last 20 years, Humphrey Smith has done nothing good for the town. Empty houses and shops everywhere what he owns. I live only a 5 minute walk from his "mansion" whilst he won't even open a path on Wighill Road for access to the viaduct, the only other option being a set of stairs which is not ideal for the elderly or those with pushchairs.


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Wall still there as of this morning. Took me nearly 2 hours to get from one side to the other yesterday. Hopefully a new footbridge will be put up soon. Sainsbury's is reopening next Monday (11th).

Thanks for confirming the situation regarding the wall. Some of the empty houses have been in that state for as long as I can remember (and I've been going to/through Tadcaster regularly for 15-20 years).

 

[backontrack]

I hope Mr Smith gets flooded himself. A vile, selfish human being who obviously cares only about his own pockets.

On 29 January 2012 the story emerged that Humphrey Smith had closed the Junction Inn in Royton on New Year's Eve 2011, because the landlords were dispensing too much beer in their pints. He has subsequently issued a retrospective surcharge of £10,733 for lost stock over a 12-year period.

EDIT: Aargh, beaten to it!

 

[Clip]

A vile human being, and the main reason why I do not go to Samuel Smiths' pubs if I can help it.

I'll help with any accidental demolition unavoidable flood damage.

You're up north now so beer is generally cheap, I don't have such morals so if I can find a SS pub then im in. The red lion behind carnaby st is a bit of a favourite of mine.

 

[Tetchytyke]

You're up north now so beer is generally cheap, I don't have such morals

The John Snow in Soho was the one that really tested my resolve

 

[DarloRich]

You're up north now so beer is generally cheap, I don't have such morals so if I can find a SS pub then im in. The red lion behind carnaby st is a bit of a favourite of mine.

The John Snow in Soho was the one that really tested my resolve

i have never likes Sam Smiths ale - don't know why - perhaps i ought to try it again

 

[sprinterguy]

I hope Mr Smith gets flooded himself. A vile, selfish human being who obviously cares only about his own pockets.

Well the Sam Smith's brewery yard has been flooded, with a resulting shortage in their only cask product, Old Brewery Bitter, due to contamination, and Humphrey does now face the same ten mile diversion as everyone else, in order to get from home to work (which lie on opposite sides of the river).

Mind you, in my opinion you wouldn't be able to tell the difference even if they did serve up manky floodwater instead: I'm not a fan of Sam Smith's pubs or their beer based on my experiences of both.
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i have never likes Sam Smiths ale - don't know why - perhaps i ought to try it again

Personally I wouldn't bother!

 

[Puffing Devil]

OBB always was an acquired taste. It took a lot of practise, but I acquired that taste in my youth....

Nowadays I wouldn't touch the stuff, due to Humphs actions.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I was ignorant of the Samuel Smith situation until this thread, so thanks for the warnings everyone. I did have a 30-second panic though as I momentarily confused Samuel Smith and Timothy Taylor! I will blame that though on having just come round from a general anaesthetic in Dewsbury hospital!

 

[Tetchytyke]

i have never likes Sam Smiths ale - don't know why - perhaps i ought to try it again

The ale is cr@p, but the wheat beer is lovely.

 

[96tommy]

Announced this morning that Humphrey Smith won't allow his land to be used for a temporary footbridge. Town is a mess.

 

[harri2626]

Well the Sam Smith's brewery yard has been flooded, with a resulting shortage in their only cask product, Old Brewery Bitter, due to contamination, and Humphrey does now face the same ten mile diversion as everyone else, in order to get from home to work (which lie on opposite sides of the river).

Mind you, in my opinion you wouldn't be able to tell the difference even if they did serve up manky floodwater instead: I'm not a fan of Sam Smith's pubs or their beer based on my experiences of both.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Personally I wouldn't bother!

A couple of weeks ago (August 2016, eight months after the flood) I visited a Sam Smith house only ten miles from their brewery - The Harewood Arms - expecting to have a pint of OBB. However, the two pump spaces on the bar had been blanked off and only fizz beers were available. I asked the barman why the hand pump beer was missing and he said it was because of the floods and supplies were impossible to get. At the time I thought this was a reasonable excuse. However, yesterday I visited the Chandos pub in London and saw OBB on sale. I asked the barman why they had it and not other pubs and he said there was never a shortage.

Has anyone else experienced the apparent shortage of OBB due to the floods?

BTW, I also asked for a packet of (Sam Smiths-brand) cheese and onion crisps. When I tasted them they were obviously "plain". I mentioned this to the barmen and he said I was not the first to notice it and "they were having bagging problems"!

Sam Smith is a strange outfit.

 

[Geezertronic]

Sam Smith is a strange outfit.

It's just taken me a few minutes of puzzling thought to realise you are not talking about the singer Sam Smith

 

[96tommy]

For all the badness of Sam Smiths, I do like the Chandos. Odd being 200 miles from home and seing pictures hung on the walls of good friends and neighbours.

Back to the bridge, the Green light has been given the go ahead for a widened bridge. I've been back in Tad for 4 months and just about to move back to London for uni but the main street (Bridge St.) Is still eerily quiet. Only a few shops has so far reopened. In places what have reopened, business from what I understand is massively down. If you live on the West side of Tad, it is more easy to go to Wetherby or Leeds/York for a shop rather than the Sainsburys on the east side.
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Unsurprisngly, Humphery Smith has objected the new bridge designs.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14748774.Tadcaster_Bridge_plans_face_objection_from_brewery/

Samuel Smith's brewery has made an objection to the widening of Tadcaster Bridge.

The brewery has made an objection to the bridge being widened, and senior councillors have warned it could derail the plans.

The bridge is currently under repair after it collapsed during the December floods, and county council bosses want to widen it at the same time.

An objection, submitted by Stuart Vendy from Cunnane Town Planning on behalf of Samuel Smith Old Brewery, said the development was “contrary to a number of important planning policies and guidance within the development plan and Government policy”.

Mr Vendy said: “I also not that there appears to be a lack of sufficient information within the application package with which to formally determine the application.

“I believe that this conflict with policy has not been outweighed by material considerations and that planning permission should therefore be refused.”

....