Flood damaged Elland Bridge reopened to pedestrians

Elland Bridge had been closed to pedestrians since December 2015

A bridge severely damaged by flooding has reopened to pedestrians, more than a year after it was closed.

Elland Bridge, in West Yorkshire, had to be rebuilt at a cost of £5m after it partially collapsed during the 2015 Boxing Day floods.

It was reopened to walkers and cyclists on Tuesday. Vehicles are expected to have access later this month.

A temporary footbridge across the Calder and Hebble Navigation was installed while the work was completed.

The bridge was rebuilt at a cost of £5m

Several barges were left stranded on the towpath below the bridge after the flood water receded

Joanne Wood, who runs a nursery in Elland, was among the first people to cross the restored bridge.

"It's a fantastic day. We've been waiting for this for just over a year now," she said.

"This is a bridge that is used by so many people and we you do not realise how much you use it until it's not there."

The bridge partially collapsed following the Boxing Day floods of 2015