Toll bridge to reopen after 10-month closure

It currently costs 40p to cross Aldwark toll bridge by car, though parliament could allow that to rise

A road bridge in North Yorkshire which has been closed for 10 months, meaning a 25-mile round-trip for regular users, is due to reopen on Saturday.

The Grade II-listed Aldwark toll bridge, across the River Ure near Easingwold, was closed in April for a £1m refurbishment.

As a result, some pupils at Great Ouseburn Primary have faced much longer school runs while the bridge has been shut.

Bridge owner and operator Alex Bell said he was "thrilled" the work had been completed and the bridge was expected to open at midday.

The bridge, crossing the River Ure between Youlton and Little Ouseburn, has been closed since April

Mr Bell said work to the bridge had taken longer than expected due to the need for additional structural repairs.

There had also been five instances of flooding on the river during the refurbishment which had delayed the project's completion, he added.

The business which ran the bridge had received no income for a year as a result of the closure and was keen to get its revenue stream back online, Mr Bell said.

He said he would again seek permission from parliament later this year to increase the toll - which currently stands at 40p for a car - after a similar request was refused in 2022.

Lois and her dad Jeremy have faced a 45-minute school run while the bridge has been shut

While the toll bridge, which crosses the river between Youlton and Little Ouseburn, was closed, seven-year-old Lois and dad Jeremy, have faced a 45-minute 25-mile round-trip to and from school every day.

Lois said she had found it really tiring having to wake up extra early in the morning and was "excited" the bridge was reopening.

Jeremy said it had been an "absolute nightmare" so he "can't wait" for the bridge to reopen afer 10 months.

"The champagne is on ice and ready to go," he added.

Ollie and Elsie say they are looking forward to the bridge reopening after the 10-month closure

Ten-year-old Ollie and nine-year-old Elsie said their journeys to school had been "really long" while the bridge remained shut and that meant they felt tired when they reached school.

Ollie said he had "lost a lot of energy" due to the round-trip and had been worried he had his SAT tests coming up so needed time to prepare for them.

Elsie said she was "happy" the bridge was reopening because it meant she would have "more time to play at home".

Mr Bell said he was now planning to streamline the process of crossing the toll bridge and was considering introducing a traffic light system to speed things up.

The bridge would officially reopen at midday on Saturday 17 February and a coach and horses would be the first vehicle to cross it, he added.

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