Plans have been submitted by North Yorkshire Council to remove the current steel bridge and put in a new structure that the council says will improve safety for pedestrians.

Gallows Bridge is an important and well-used crossing of the canal as it provides the most direct connection between the bus and railway stations.

It also offers a crossing for pedestrians between Morrisons, Cavendish Street car park and the town centre.

The present bridge replaced the original timber bridge in 1974.

But according to the council, uneven steps at both ends of the 13.5m bridge are a slip hazard and the bridge deck is in poor condition.

It’s suffering corrosion throughout the underside of the footbridge and some cracks have also been found in the stonework.

Documents state that the new bridge has been inspired by the old timber bridge and it will consist of a steel truss and deck.

The council said: “The proposed development is needed to address known, longstanding safety issues with Gallows Bridge and to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians.”

Gallows Bridge is the first part of the Skipton Gateway scheme to come forward to the planning stage. It’s been funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

The £7.8m project aims to create a more attractive entrance to the town with improved pedestrian and public transport links.

Plans include transforming the entrance of the train station with a new public plaza, as well as widened footpaths on Carleton Street and improved pedestrian crossings on several streets.

Carleton Street will also be converted to one-way extending the existing one-way system on Cross Street.

The proposals had included a cycle lane on Broughton Road between Skipton train station and the town centre, but this was scrapped after concerns were raised over the safety of cyclists and loss of a taxi rank.

Instead, widened footpaths and a 20mph speed limit are now planned for a stretch of the road.

You can read about all the proposals here – https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/skipton.

Gallows Bridge in Skipton which crosses Leeds and Liverpool Canal set to be replaced