Bridge-hit resort on swing and a prayer

Whitby Swing Bridge got stuck in the closed position yesterday at 7.30am – meaning it was out of action for harbour traffic, but traffic and pedestrian access was unaffected.

It was fixed after being shut for much of the day while a storm off the coast is believed to have reduced the impact on river traffic.

John Riby, Scarborough Borough Council's Head of Technical Services, said: "Our engineers diagnosed a faulty electrical component on the east side of the bridge.

"The part has been replaced, the bridge has been tested and it is now back in full working order, which means that harbour traffic can once again enter and leave the harbour.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused to harbour users today and thank them for their patience."

Local trader Justin Coope said the bridge had been very slow and it was obvious something was going wrong.

He said: "I looked up at the sky, did the sign of the cross and started praying on my knees that it wasn't another breakdown."

Fortunately, the operators managed to get it closed, so it was at least stuck in the closed position. The breakdown has, however, renewed fears about heavy lorries thundering over the bridge.

Mr Coope added: "It is ridiculous. The whole thing makes me sick.

"It's as if the whole east side is living on a wing and prayer because we face huge losses if it breaks down again. If I had my way no heavy goods vehicles would ever go over it again.

"There would be a reinstatement of the hand turning system, and there would be a full contingency of all major spares – because the east side of Whitby depends on that bridge."

The town was plunged into chaos when the bridge broke down in the open position last month.

For nine days east and west Whitby were cut off from each other, traders lost hundreds of thousands of pounds, and hundreds of people queued for shuttle buses and water taxis.