'Dracula shift' to work on swing bridge at night

One side of Whitby was cut off from the other for nine days in July

when the gearbox on the western leaf of the crossing broke down,

leaving it stuck in the open position.

Thousands queued for shuttle buses and water taxi and businesses

clocked up huge losses.

Work to replace a gearbox part on the eastern section of Whitby Swing Bridge – as well as the renewal of other key electrical components – is being planned by the council.

The plan is to carry out the work avoiding the school half- term holiday and the week leading up to Goth Weekend, probably in the first week of November.

It was feared the bridge would have to be closed to cars and pedestrians for three days. But officials believe much of the work on the bridge can be carried out overnight on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to reduce disruption.

On two of the nights it is likely the bridge will remain in the closed position and therefore open to cars and pedestrians. But it will probably be necessary to open the bridge on the third night when the road will be shut.

Some testing may take place during the day and it may be necessary to close the bridge to traffic and pedestrians for short periods. Buses will again be provided by the council to run between the east and west sides of Whitby. Residents and traders will be notified as soon as a final timetable for the work has been agreed.

Meanwhile, an "inquest" into the failure of the bridge, during peak holiday season, is to take place on October 1 when Scarborough portfolio holder for harbours Coun Peter Popple meets borough council and North Yorkshire officials.