Concern over village trade as bridge closed for eight weeks

The Grade II* listed Sutton Bridge, which links Elvington in North Yorkshire and Sutton on Derwent in the East Riding, has been closed since it was damaged earlier this month.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which is overseeing the work, confirmed yesterday that motorists could now face traffic diversions until the middle of March while the repairs are carried out.

But villagers have warned that the future of local businesses could be thrown into jeopardy because passing custom has already dramatically reduced.

Tom Fitzpatrick, who has run Elvington Village Stores for the last 15 years, said that the bridge closure had sharply reduced passing trade at his shop, the local garage, The Grey Horse pub in Elvington and the St Vincent Arms pub in Sutton on Derwent.

He added: "We simply cannot survive for as long as the bridge could be closed. We have had to throw out hundreds of pounds worth of fresh food because it simply has not been bought.

"If things continue the way they are going, we will be forced to close."

The clerk to Elvington Parish Council, David Headlam, has written to the MP for East Yorkshire, Greg Knight, and Selby MP John Grogan to raise the concerns.

He has also sent the letter to the chief executives of the East Riding and York councils, Nigel Pearson and Kersten England. Mr Headlam said: "The effect on local businesses is disastrous."

It is understood that the work to repair the bridge is taking longer than usual because English Heritage has had to grant permission for which pieces of stonework can be re-used.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokeswoman said: "We have now examined the bridge and are working with the contractors to consider the options available and which would minimise disruption for the public.

"It will be closed for the time it will take to repair the stonework because until the work is done the bridge will be unsafe. We are provisionally talking about an eight-week closure for the repair to the stonework."