Tide of anger as swing bridge breakdown leaves Whitby cut in half (Video)

Business owners yesterday accused Scarborough Borough Council of a "wall of silence" as it is still not clear when the bridge, which has remained stuck in the open position since last Wednesday, will be operational again.

Justin Coope, who runs Justin Chocolatier and Justin Fudge and Toffee Maker on Church Street, organised a meeting last night for beleaguered traders in the eastern half of the port who have been cut off from the majority of visitors on the west side.

He said: "Businesses are seeing their takings drop by as much as 80 per cent. By late afternoon on Thursday last week, Church Street was like a ghost town. The council needs to let people know what is going on, but we have been greeted by a wall of silence."

Scarborough Borough Council's head of technical services, John Riby, said every effort was being made to repair the bridge, but he admitted that an exact timescale had yet to be finalised as bespoke parts are having to be ordered in after a gear box sheared.

A meeting is due to take place today when a clearer picture will emerge. However, Mr Riby admitted it will take at least a week before the bridge is open again.

He added: "The best analogy for the bridge is that it is like an old lady with severe arthritis. But we have a duty to get the bridge operational as soon as possible."

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