Split resort's 'missing link' discovered in storage yard

An emergency footbridge which could have reunited Whitby has been discovered lying about in a storage yard just a few miles from the town which has been divided by the breakdown of its swing bridge for a week.

Traders say the mechanical gangway, successfully used 13 years ago during a previous problem with the bridge, should have been wheeled out last week rather than left sitting in sections behind a shop run by a North East based internet company.

Local businessman Justin Coope decided to track down "the missing link" after a number of local residents said they were puzzled why Scarborough Council, which owns the bridging gear, had not bothered using it.

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Since the bridge broke down hundreds of residents and visitors have been forced to join huge queues for shuttle buses and water taxis offering a 1 crossing over the River Esk.

The council hopes to have the swing bridge back in operation by the weekend.

Mr Coope said he found the footbridge in the back yard of a Whitby shop called Millbry Hill. It had agreed to provide storage for the equipment.

"It has just been lying in the grass all this time. Apparently Scarborough Council only repainted it last year so it looks in very good condition. There were even spares for it in a container."

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A council spokesman said: "The bridge idea was considered at a meeting on Monday, but given the fact that work should be starting on the swing bridge on Thursday, it wasn't considered to be the best option.

"No sooner had the footbridge gone up than work to dismantle it would have to begin."