Ulverscroft Bridge

History

Leicester Belgrave Road was the Great Northern Railway terminus in Leicester, England. The main services were to Peterborough and Grantham. The line closed in 1962 and the area has changed significantly since then.

(Bridge in use before the railway line’s closure and removal (south view))

About the structure

The area under the bridge, where the railway line used to run, is now used by a scrap metal yard. During examinations we’ve noted deterioration in the floor plates of the deck and, while emergency works delivered in May 2022 have helped, a longer term, more permanent solution is needed.

The metallic span of the bridge marginally passed its BE4 assessment in 2009 and, almost thirteen years later, our inspections show that its condition has worsened. Following discussions with Leicester City Council a temporary weight restriction of 3 Tonnes was installed at the bridge.

(Bridge photographed in March 2023 opposite a metal scrap yard (south view))

What is the project?

Infill of one of the bridge’s two spans as well as any other preliminary work required such as vegetation removal before main work begins.

(Artistic impression of bridge before infill)

(Artistic impression of bridge after infill)

What stage is it at?

The project to infill the East Span and brickwork repairs to abutments and wingwalls has been completed.

Contractors put the finishing touches to the brickwork in early July 2025 and finished the brickwork facing to the concrete infill to both elevations.  

Fencing and gates have also been reinstated underneath the structure and the ground has been levelled. Scaffolding has been removed and associated site cabins will be removed by Friday 25 July marking the end of the scheme.

Passers-by may still see some work being carried out on parapets, but this is separate scheme from the infilling work carried out by National Highways and its contractors.