Bridge engineering work aimed at avoiding jams

Only months ago, the seaside town was divided during one of its busiest weeks of the summer season due to the break-down of the century-old crossing, forcing thousands to queue for shuttle buses and water taxis to get from one side of the resort to the other.

However, although the bridge closed to foot and road traffic again yesterday, it was because Scarborough Council was carrying out engineering work to prevent a repeat of the fiasco.

Work to replace the gearbox on the eastern section of the bridge – as well as other maintenance – started at 9am on Tuesday with the aim of re-opening to traffic by 5pm today.

The work slot was chosen to avoid busy times such as the Whitby's bi-annual Goth Weekend and school half-term. The bridge is open to river traffic and shuttle buses were laid on.

Council staff and Welcome to Yorkshire tourism officials were drafted in to act as ambassadors. Local residents' leader John Freeman agreed with Scarborough Council that the work was essential and should be carried out as soon as possible.

He added: "The general feeling is that it would be better to carry out this work in a planned way rather than have the disaster we had this summer."