A NEW bridge is to be built in North Yorkshire to improve access to an industrial park which houses important employers.

The £3.3 million project at Dalton, near Thirsk, is going ahead with funding from local councils, businesses, the Environment Agency, and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The bridge over Cod Beck will be wider than the current bridge, and will have a 350m stretch of elevated road with new embankments will provide better flood protection.

North Yorkshire County Council’s Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways, said: “The new Dalton bridge will help to open the way for growth on the industrial estate where past floods have led to lengthy diversions for business traffic and severe disruption for neighbouring villages.

“Both businesses and community will benefit from a far better bridge and highway that will not flood.”

Dalton businesses are putting in £1.2 million through a loan from Hambleton District Council, and the Environment Agency is adding another £288,000 to the project.

The remaining £1.8 million is coming from the LEP through the Government’s Local Growth Fund, and the county council agreed to accept that grant on Tuesday.

Hambleton District Council also contributed £267,000 to cover a feasibility study and detailed design, and managing the design phase.

The county council has also helped to fund the design costs, and will cover the cost of managing the construction and is waiving some of its charges.

County cllr Mackenzie added: “A strong economy is a top priority for the county council, and this is an example of partnership working in practice for the good of the economy. “The investment will safeguard jobs and support growth.”