THE canal swing bridge leading into Aireville Park, Skipton, will be closed for three weeks from Monday, June 28, so it can be replaced at a cost of around £300,000.

The work will also mean the temporary closure of Carleton New Road from the station end to allow heavy plant to access the site safely.

In July last year, the Canal and River Trust said the opening mechanism of Gawflat Bridge had been damaged and the bridge would be locked in the ‘open position’ which meant boaters could still use the canal, but pedestrians and cars would have to cross at Brewery Lane.

Following an uproar from residents and councillors, it called on the help of volunteers to keep the bridge fully operating, allowing people to access Craven Leisure and students to get to Craven College and Skipton Academy.

The waterways charity then said it was replacing the bridge, earmarking the work for May this year. However, a delay in obtaining steel due to global supply issues put the work on hold for several weeks.

The footpath over the canal will now be closed from Monday, June 28 ahead of the old bridge being removed on Sunday, July 4. The new bridge will be installed on Sunday, July 11 and the bridge will be reopened on Thursday, July 15.

Carleton New Road will be closed from the train station end on Sundays July 4 and 11, but Engine Shed Lane and Sandylands sport fields will still be accessible via Carleton Road.

Sean McGinley, director for Yorkshire & North East, said: “We apologise for inconvenience the closure will cause as we know this is an important pedestrian route for Skipton. We have tried to minimise the disruption as much as possible and give advance notice of the closures and the new schedule.

“We will need to close Carleton New Road on the sharp bend for two Sundays, which will allow a crane access to the site.”

The Trust has been in direct contact with the local authorities and received authorisation for the temporary road closure. It has also been liaising with key stakeholders affected by the closure, including the schools and college.

The new bridge weighs around 20 tonnes. It has been designed to be easier to open by boaters than the current bridge, and will last for decades to come.