Listed bridge repair work to last four weeks

The bridge has been damaged by vehicles on several occasions

Repair work on a listed bridge which has been repeatedly damaged by vehicles is to begin on Monday.

North Yorkshire Council said repairs to the bridge in Morton-on-Swale, due to last four weeks, were designed to cause as little disruption to road users as possible.

The bridge, on the A684 between Bedale and Northallerton, has been struck by vehicles a number of times in recent years, including twice in the last two years.

The Grade II listed structure also needed repairs in 2019 after damage caused by a crash.

North Yorkshire Council's highways officials said detailed surveys had been carried out to design a repair scheme as well as work to recover stone.

Replacement stone has been sourced and a contractor appointed to carry out the repairs.

For the first and last two days, temporary traffic lights will be in place to allow scaffolding to be installed and removed, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A temporary speed limit of 20mph will be introduced while work is ongoing.

The work will largely take place on land to the side of the bridge, the council says

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, Malcolm Taylor, said: "Residents and road users have been waiting for us to announce details of a repair scheme and we are pleased to have designed one without the need to close the road.

"This is because most of the works will be carried out on the land side.

"The concrete barriers already in place on the bridge will be used to ensure a safe working area."

His colleague Annabel Wilkinson, who represents the area on North Yorkshire Council, said the repairs had been timed to take place during the school holidays when there was less traffic.

"We have also timed it to avoid utility works in the village," she said.

"The temporary lights will be manned when they are in place to manage traffic flow and reduce disruption.

"We thank all road users for their patience and ask that they please adhere to the 20mph limit in place."

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