Tadcaster Bridge closed to traffic for second time in month

The bridge, pictured during the most recent closure, carries the A659 over the River Wharfe

A road bridge in North Yorkshire has been closed to traffic for the second time in under a month due to concerns over the level of the river it crosses.

The bridge, in Tadcaster, carries the A659 over the River Wharfe and links the two halves of the town.

Tadcaster's Flood Action Group said the closure raised questions given the bridge was only rebuilt six years ago after it collapsed due to flooding.

North Yorkshire Council said the bridge had been closed "on safety grounds".

The 18th Century bridge collapsed on 29 December 2015 following severe flooding and did not reopen again until 2017.

Without it, motorists had to take a 16-mile round trip to get from one side of Tadcaster to another.

The closure means motorists face a long diversion from one side of the town to the other

Nicola Eades, from the town's Flood Action Group, said the fact it had been closed twice within one month had caused concern among local residents and businesses.

"We need a plan, the town needs a plan," she said.

"Is it a recurring issue that as soon as we get to an approximate river level of 2.65m, is the bridge closing?

"It definitely needs looking at and we need answers."

Ms Eades added that based on the last closure of the bridge it would reopen later on Wednesday.

The bridge, pictured in 2016, was closed for more than a year after its collapse in 2015

Keane Duncan, the council's executive member for highways, said North Yorkshire had faced a number of issues as a result of Storm Debi on Monday.

"Tadcaster Bridge has been closed on safety grounds as river levels have reached the top of the underside arches - the trigger point for a closure," Mr Keane said.

"The bridge will be monitored and remain closed until levels drop. Presently no specific time of re-opening can be given."

Kirsty Poskitt, the area's independent councillor, said she would raise the issue with officers at North Yorkshire Council.

In a post on Facebook, she wrote: "While I fully respect the agencies involved making the call, I would like to find out a little more as to what has led to this current closure."

The council's highways department had said the closure was necessary for safety reasons because when the bridge's arches were submerged, or partially submerged, its load carrying capacity significantly reduced, Ms Poskitt said.

The bridge remains open to pedestrians.