Selby discovers new swing‑bridge issues

North Yorkshire Council said on May 20 that repair work at Selby Swing Bridge on the A63 bypass had uncovered further defects, extending traffic restrictions with no confirmed date for a full reopening. The bridge carries the road over the River Ouse to the east of Selby. Two-way traffic lights, a 20 mph speed limit and speed ramps remain in place while engineers work on a revised repair scheme. The council said it now expects repairs to run into later this year. ### What exactly did the council say it found? A council spokesperson said a steel plate became detached from the bridge in March, prompting temporary traffic controls while investigations and initial repairs were designed. During those repairs, the spokesperson said, workers “uncovered issues with more plates,” which is why the 20 mph restriction and speed ramps are staying in place. (gazetteherald.co.uk) The York Press report said the update related to Selby Swing Bridge on the A63 bypass over the River Ouse, east of the town. North Yorkshire Council said the repair was “not a straightforward” one and that it was working with partners on a design scheme. ### Why is there still no reopening date? North Yorkshire Council said it was “unable to confirm a timeline for repairs,” even as it said the work was expected to be completed later this year. (gazetteherald.co.uk) The council did not publish a precise completion date in the update reported on May 20. The council’s roadworks page says residents can monitor planned works, closures and diversions through its interactive map and alert system. (gazetteherald.co.uk) That page does not itself give a Selby Swing Bridge reopening date, but it sets out where the authority publishes roadwork updates. ### What restrictions are drivers dealing with now? (gazetteherald.co.uk) The current controls include two-way traffic lights, a 20 mph speed limit and speed ramps at the bridge, according to the council statement carried by local media. The measures were first put in place after the March plate failure and have remained through the latest stage of repairs. (northyorks.gov.uk) The bridge is a key crossing on the A63 bypass around Selby, and the council said it would provide updates when possible while trying to keep disruption to a minimum. ### Has this bridge had recent repair work before? YorkMix reported in September 2025 that the Selby Toll Swing Bridge was scheduled for separate repair closures for slew ring work and hydraulic power unit repairs. (gazetteherald.co.uk) Those closures involved night-time and multi-day shutdowns and were also attributed to North Yorkshire Council. Older local reports also show the Selby crossing has undergone steelwork and emergency repair work in previous years. (gazetteherald.co.uk) A November 2025 York Press report said the Selby Toll Swing Bridge was due to close for up to four nights for steelwork repairs, while a 2021 report said the A63 Selby Swing Bridge closed for emergency repairs after technical problems. (yorkmix.com) ### What happens next for the Selby bridge repairs? North Yorkshire Council said it is working with design partners on the next repair scheme and will issue further updates as work progresses. The authority said on May 20 that the restrictions would remain in place and that it expected the repairs to be completed later in 2026, without giving a firmer date. (gazetteherald.co.uk) (yorkpress.co.uk)