Whitby Swing Bridge Closures 2025

North Yorkshire Council is set to implement closures for the fifth consecutive year following concerns over traffic congestion during peak tourist seasons in Whitby, which raised safety issues.

The Whitby Swing Bridge will be closed to traffic (buses will be exempt), from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends during school holidays, as well as on Bank Holidays and during special events. The first closures will take effect during the Easter school holidays, on the weekend of April 5-6.

In addition to school and bank holidays, the traffic-free policy will also apply during Goth weekends, on April 26-27 and November 1-2.

Cllr Phil Trumper, representing the Whitby West division, has stated: “Pedestrianizing the bridge is crucial for improving safety and alleviating overcrowding in the swing bridge area. We hope both residents and visitors understand that the benefits of the closures outweigh the inconvenience they may cause to road users.”

There will be signage in place and traffic flow will be monitored to ensure the scheme continues to be smoothly coordinated and allows pedestrians to use the bridge safely at all times.