Go back
Back to Roadworks and road maintenance

Funding application for Aldham Bridges Replacement Scheme

The government's Structures Fund provides grant funding to support the capital costs of repairing or replacing local highway structures. This is available to support the government missions of:

  • growth – a reduction in journey times and congestion to improve business productivity

  • cleaner energy – any route closure and diversion avoided due to the fund will reduce emissions and improve air quality

  • healthier and safer streets – repairing or replacing structures for public transport, walking and cycling routes will have positive health impacts

  • breaking down barriers – repairing structures will reduce community severance - helping to reopen local transport networks and support travel routes to jobs

We've applied for Structures Fund grant funding for our Aldham Bridges Replacement Scheme.

About the Aldham Bridges Replacement Scheme

The Aldham Bridges Replacement Scheme comprises the replacement of two single-span bridge structures on the A633, which forms part of Barnsley's principal road network and resilient network:

  • The first is a highway bridge carrying the A633 over the River Dove watercourse.

  • The second is a former railway bridge now carrying the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) public right of way over the A633, located approximately 150m from the highway bridge.

Due to the age of the highway bridge over the river, and the limited capacity of the edge beam, a full replacement is considered the preferred solution. This avoids the need for load restrictions on a principal route or potential diversions, which would be extensive, while providing a durable and long-term outcome. Remedial works to the existing structure are not considered cost effective given the poor condition of the main girders and the span involved.

In addition, the vertical alignment of the highway was significantly lowered when the railway was constructed, effectively creating a low spot to pass beneath the former railway bridge. This has resulted in persistent flooding issues on the highway at this low point on the carriageway and on a number of occasions has required full closure of the route. It is therefore proposed as part of the scheme to remove and replace the existing TPT bridge such that the highway alignment can be raised to relieve the flooding issue as well as replace the deteriorating structure carrying the TPT. The cost of remediation of the TPT old railway bridge is not considered effective when compared against the cost of replacement given the current condition and required works.

Aim of the scheme

The proposed scheme will address the deterioration of both bridge structures by replacing them, while also raising the highway alignment to eliminate the low spot and reduce flood risk.

The structures are considered as a package of works, as addressing one structure and not the other would still leave a restriction or issue of some sort on the A633 at this location.

Our Structures Fund application

On Monday 3 August 2026 we submitted an application for grant funding for the work to the government's Structures Fund.

Read our Structures Fund application for the Aldham Bridges Replacement Scheme.