A MAJOR programme of road works has begun in Selby, with the closure of the swing bridge and traffic restrictions throughout the town.

Starting yesterday, the bridge has been closed to all vehicles for 14 weeks to allow North Yorkshire County Council workers to carry out essential refurbishment and repairs to steel girders and timber decking.

The work will cost the Highways Agency £350,000.

Pedestrians will still be allowed to use the bridge for the first week of the repairs.

However, from next week, the bridge will need to be in an open position for six weeks.

This will mean pedestrians as well as motorists will have to use diversions, and the county council has arranged for a free bus service between 5am and midnight to assist the public.

More roadworks have also been put in place on Doncaster Road, one of the town’s main thoroughfares, to create access to the town’s new hospital.

The Doncaster Road work is set to last for the next ten weeks, and will involve the building of a mini-roundabout and a new zebra crossing.

Last week, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it had delayed the closure of Boothferry Bridge at Goole until February 28, which some fear will cause traffic to be diverted through Selby.