Selby Swing Bridge will be open this weekend, 14 weeks after it was closed for structural repairs – and traders could be in line for a drop in rates.

Members of the Selby Chamber of Commerce have met with a representative of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to highlight the fact local traders have lost up to 40 per cent of profits while the works have been carried out.

David Fieldsend, chairman of the chamber, said: “A lot of people have had some serious cash-flow problems and turnover issues.

“The rating authority will be looking to introduce a rates reduction to smooth things over.”

A VOA spokeswoman said: “We are currently reviewing about 40 appeals from business operators in Selby asking for a temporary reduction in their rateable value due to ongoing bridgeworks in the area. A VOA representative recently attended one of the regular Selby Chamber of Commerce meetings to discuss the ongoing work and business rates in general.”

The essential maintenance work, which removed, repaired and replaced steel beams and timber decking, meant the bridge has been closed to motorists since February 14, and the bridge has also been closed to pedestrians for eight of the 14 weeks.

Mr Fieldsend said: “We know the bridge needed repairing but, if it had been done five years ago, it would only have been closed for seven weeks rather than 14, because, when they finally got around to doing it, the damage was a lot worse than they expected.”

Final safety checks were being carried out today with the intention of opening the bridge by midnight.