driving past earlier and saw people jogging down the middle bit which splits the lanes, it is totally blocked off for cars..

what was it ever used for if it was?

its to be used if they ever need to close one of the other ones

its so the can keep it open if they have to shut both lanes in one direction rather than a diversion around meadowhall.

also it's been used by the emergency services a few times to get to crashes on the viaduct.

ah, very pointless thread now.. thanks

also used for work access for when the viaduct requries work

I thought that there was some concern, a few years ago, that the viaduct was at risk of being overloaded, and so lanes were closed to reduce the number of vehicles on it at any time.

Or am I just imagining this?

I thought that there was some concern, a few years ago, that the viaduct was at risk of being overloaded, and so lanes were closed to reduce the number of vehicles on it at any time.

Or am I just imagining this?

I've now found this - see approx half way down

http://www.rotherhamweb.co.uk/tinsley/viaduct.htm

http://www.roadsuk.com/histories/tinsley.html

This repeats much of the link I posted above, but it also goes on to say that following later strenghening (to make it suitable for heavier lorries in accordance with changing EU standards), it had been intended to re-open the lanes (presumably referring to those on the top section), but that the police had requested that they remain closed, as it improved traffic flow on the slip roads (presumably as vehicles can drive straight on to the motorway if they do not need to merge).

I assume the OP was talking about the lower deck on the viaduct, which has already been answered above.

The outer lanes on the top deck were closed due to weight loading, but the work on the bridge a few years ago solved this problem, but as you found, traffic flow is better with a lane drop at the junction. It is now intended to re-open the additional lanes when the motorway is widened to 4 lanes - meaning 3 lanes go across the viaduct (2 currently), and one is still dropped at the junction.

I assume the OP was talking about the lower deck on the viaduct, which has already been answered above.

The outer lanes on the top deck were closed due to weight loading, but the work on the bridge a few years ago solved this problem, but as you found, traffic flow is better with a lane drop at the junction. It is now intended to re-open the additional lanes when the motorway is widened to 4 lanes - meaning 3 lanes go across the viaduct (2 currently), and one is still dropped at the junction.

Yes, I'd assumed the OP was referring to the lower deck (as someone had been running in the centre), and I had answered as such (ie that it was a weight/loading issue, and not the reasons that had been posted earlier). I had then specifically referred to the upper deck, to differentiate, when highlighting the link which covered the traffic flow.