MAJOR repairs to the Selby swing bridge, which were due to take place this summer, have been put back to next year.

The 19th century bridge was expected to close on July 29 for up to six weeks, causing disruption to thousands of train passengers over the summer, but the planned closure was postponed due to works elsewhere in the region.

Bad weather and a landslip at Hatfield Colliery, which was on the planned diversion route, meant the works had to be rescheduled, and expected to take place later this year.

However, new plans announced by Network Rail this week show the work has been put back to weekends from July 26 through to September 7 next year.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “Two years ago we began to plan the most significant refurbishment of Selby swing bridge since it was built in 1889.

“This work would mean that no trains would be able to run through Selby. This plan was reliant upon using a diversionary route through Hatfield & Stainforth to maintain a train service to Hull.

“Unfortunately, the extraordinary events at Hatfield Colliery made it unworkable and the projects in Selby and those affecting passenger services to Hull were deferred.”

Before that, there will be a schedule of maintenance on other bridges and tracks in and around Selby and Hull later this year, to ensure they can cope with the diverted trains, which will mean replacement buses for commuters.

Track maintenance and reconstruction will take place on the swing bridge on the weekend of October 5, with buses replacing trains between Selby, Goole and Hull between 11.30pm on Friday and 11.10pm on Saturday, between Leeds and Hull between 11.10pm on Saturday, to 5.30am on Monday.

On the weekend of October 12, buses will replace trains between Selby, Goole and Hull from 11.30pm to 11.10pm on Saturday, and between Leeds and Hull between 11.10pm Saturday and 5.30am on Monday.

Buses will replace trains on the weekend of October 19 between Selby, Goole and Hull from 11.30pm to 11.10pm on Saturday, and between Leeds and Hull between 11.10pm Saturday and 5.30am on Monday.