‘Not yet clear’ when flooded Dunham Bridge will reopen, director says

It is not yet known when a toll bridge will reopen after heavy rainfall left it submerged, a director says. Dunham Bridge^[1], which connects Lincolnshire and sister county Nottinghamshire, was closed to motorists after it was flooded during Storm Henk^[2], which caused widespread disruption across the East Midlands.

A diversion route was put in place^[3] by Lincolnshire County Council on Friday, January 5, to keep drivers away from the 'exceptionally high' levels of floodwater. Stephen Betteridge, one of the directors of the Dunham Bridge Company, said: "The [water] level is falling, but it's still over the road to a significant and impassable depth.

"We don't know how long it's going to be until it falls to a level where we consider it safe enough to reopen." The situation remains under 'constant review' and Mr Betteridge added that the bridge had not been structurally damaged.

Poll: What's the best sandwich shop in Lincolnshire?^[4]

The water has not reached the toll booths nor the deck, though the nearby staff facilities were flooded by around a metre of water. Mr Betteridge said he estimates it will be a relatively simple clean-up job.

On Saturday, Lincolnshire Police shared a photograph of a white car that had driven past the road-closed sign and attempted to cross the bridge. The occupants had to be rescued and though they were safe, the force warned motorists not to 'put others at risk who have to come rescue you'.

References

1. ^{^} Dunham Bridge (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} flooded during Storm Henk (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} diversion route was put in place (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} What's the best sandwich shop in Lincolnshire? (xd.wayin.com)