EDITOR'S CHOICE BEHIND THE NEWS The enthusiast who has taken the stuffiness out of antiques READERS' LETTERS Bridge that is two bridges CARTOONS View our Hambone, every day! Or view our Honeyball! GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Five years' jail for Otley man who bit off nurse's ear 2 Lifting of livestock restrictions is boost for Otley Show 3 Post office axe falls across Wharfedale and Aireborough 4 Hunt for Otley thugs goes on the internet 5 Wharfe fundraisers back meningitis walk 6 Athletes with learning disabilities lose their funding 7 Smith pushes Rawdon up to second spot 8 It's all happening at Ilkley Tennis Club 9 Flood looking to better Olympic silver 10 Five not offerednew contracts at Guiseley Today | 7 Days 1 Five years' jail for Otley man who bit off nurse's ear 2 Gang who attacked Yeadon Good Samaritan are locked up 3 Residents get first sight of plans to widen Otley bridge 4 Young players offered chance to trial at LA Galaxy

Comment | Read Comments (2)

RESIDENTS have been finding out more about a multi-million pound scheme to widen Otley's ancient bridge.

An information day to show people the details of the plan and answer questions was held at Otley Civic Centre on Tuesday and attracted a steady flow of visitors.

Leeds City Council (LCC) wants to widen the bridge, replace the attached footbridge - which was added in 1957 - with a 1.8 metre footway on the bridge itself, and carry out essential waterproofing, strengthening and masonry work.

The project, if approved, would involve building a temporary road bridge across the river for traffic.

The plan has been attacked by some groups, including Otley Conservation Task Force and Conserve Otley Riverside Campaign (CORC).

They are both worried that it could result in more traffic using the bridge. But Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) insists the concerns raised during the consultation period will help shape the final scheme.

He said: "Concern was raised by many at the consultation that widening the carriageway of the bridge would send out the wrong message to HGVs, and as a result I have asked officers to consider revising the plan.

"This would mean retaining the road at the same width, but widening the bridge to accommodate the footpath.

"Whilst the road width is substandard, it is in line with many of Otley's streets."

Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: "We have asked for a further meeting with officers prior to any final decision being made, and would ask that any further comments be submitted within the next week or so. We have also asked that when the revised plans are available a further exhibition is held to let people know what is happening."

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) added: "What is important is that whatever work is done to the ancient monument is done sympathetically to the original structure, so that Otley has an ancient monument of which it can be proud."

Visitors to the civic centre were asked to leave their comments on the proposals, which can also be viewed at Otley Library and the Three Horse Shoes pub, on Bridge Street, until May 23.

Written comments can be made up until that date by writing to: Otley Bridge Consultation, Leeds City Council (Bridges Section), Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 4AX; or e-mail otleybridge@leeds.gov.uk.

8:56am Friday 9th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login