Barnsley redevelopment: Kendray Street bridge demolition work starts

A "pulverising-chewing machine" is dismantling Kendray Street bridge "bit by bit"

Work has started to demolish a 30-year-old bridge in Barnsley in preparation for a £41m revamp of the town centre.

Kendray Street bridge is the first structure to be knocked down to allow for the redevelopment, which includes a new town square, library and a refurbished market.

A "pulverising-chewing machine" is dismantling the bridge "bit by bit", the town council says.

Crowds gathered to watch as a firework display marked the start of the work.

Councillor Roy Miller said: "This is a really exciting development in our plans to create a better Barnsley.

"We're creating a better town centre to attract more visitors, create more jobs, and make Barnsley a better place to live, work and visit."

Concrete debris from the demolition will be "100% recycled into construction aggregate for re-use in and around Barnsley", the local authority says.

Crowds watched as work to demolish Kendray Street bridge was marked by a firework display

The council said the project would not affect existing budgets

The council previously said the project would not affect existing budgets but would be paid for through "recent asset sales and borrowing".

A new landscaped square is due to be finished next year and the revamped market hall, shopping boulevard and new central library are set to be completed in early 2017.