10:47am Saturday 23rd January 2010
By Mark Stead
WORKERS with expertise in preserving York’s heritage could be drafted in to help repair a damaged bridge near the city.
Sutton Bridge – which links the neighbouring villages of Elvington and Sutton-upon-Derwent – is closed to motorists as work on making it safe continues, but traders fear they may go out of business due to a loss in passing trade.
Now City of York Council has offered to supply staff from its ancient monuments team to join in the repair effort on the 18th-century bridge’s stonework.
The Press reported this week how Elvington Parish Council told East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which is in charge of the project, that the closure was having a “disastrous” effect on local businesses, with the village’s pub, shop and garage all struggling through the drop in trade. Wheldrake councillor Christian Vassie, who has visited the affected businesses, said: “All are losing very significant business as they are all reliant in passing trade, which is currently non-existent.
“It is also clear that the diversion which is in place is impacting on traffic on the A1079 between York and Hull. We need all parties to show a sense of urgency so this problem can be solved.
“There are long-standing issues relating to the size of lorries using the bridge and I would hope that, in due course, more serious consideration is given to placing a weight limit on what is, after all, an 18th-century structure.”
City of York Council leader Andrew Waller said he had stressed the importance of swiftly completing the repairs to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and offered help from his council’s own workforce.
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