I was delighted to read in the Evening Press (October 1) about North Yorkshire County Council's £50,000-a year-costs for running the former Selby Toll Bridge.

It seems the government refuses to contribute anything towards these costs. The Highways Agency's area manager said: "We don't have any power to provide funds for bridges that are not the responsibility of the Secretary of State." Precisely!

I have repeatedly tried to remind all Selby's elected representatives that Selby Bridge does not belong to the nation. It belongs only to the council tax payers of North Yorkshire. It belongs mainly to Selby District citizens and to those Selby businesses who, in September 1991, contributed nearly half the money needed to buy the bridge.

I am to have my opinion backed up by a competent authority. Maybe more of our elected representatives will now begin to appreciate that the Highways Agency's refusal is a weapon placed in their hands if they have the wit to use it.

Why should Selby citizens allow the whole nation free use of their town bridge, when the country has kept the town waiting so long for a bypass? Why not place a weight limit on it tomorrow? After all, the bridge is being shaken to destruction by heavy goods traffic beyond its design capacity.

Selby should exempt from any weight limit those local companies which originally contributed towards the buy-out. Any other company wanting licence to cross the bridge could be invited to buy a share in it, to earn a similar exemption.

Coun Ted Batty,

Selby Liberal Democrats,

Barlby,

Selby

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