Bridge to close after bats go to new homes

BUS users and drivers are being warned that Ireland Bridge in Bingley will be closed to traffic from today for the next 24 weeks.

Bradford Council has distributed more than 6,000 leaflets and new bus timetables in and around the area warning people that the bridge will be closed for strengthening works.

The work on the 17th century Grade II listed bridge was due to start last July but was delayed when it was discovered that rare Daubenton’s bats were roosting in the arches.

Now that the bats have been relocated to boxes with help and advice from Natural England and the Christmas period is out of the way, work can now begin to return two lanes of traffic to the bridge which connects the villages of Harden and Wilsden to Bingley.

Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: “Ireland Bridge is currently limited to one lane of traffic as the parapet and walls are weak.

“Once the strengthening of the bridge is completed we can return it to two lanes. This will ultimately reduce the journey time along Harden Road and restore this historic structure to meet public demands.”

Diversions will be in place via Harden, Cullingworth, Harecroft, Sandy Lane, Haworth Road and Cottingley, but the bridge will remain open to pedestrians.

Harden Road and the park and ride car park will be gritted and kept clear of snow.

Bus companies running school transport have revised their timetables.

Buses that normally travel over Ireland Bridge will be diverted and a park and ride service with a free shuttle bus will operate between St Ives and Ireland Bridge.

West Yorkshire Fire Service said it would ensure emergencies would be dealt with as fast as possible.