North Yorkshire bridge re-opens after 2019 flooding
Two bridges were washed away in July last year.
A bridge in North Yorkshire that was destroyed in flooding last year has re-opened.
Cogden North bridge, on the B6270 Richmond to Grinton road, is now open to traffic.
Cogden South bridge, near Grinton Moor, is expected to re-open in January.
Both bridges were washed away in July last year.
Andrew Atkin, landlord of The Bridge Inn at Grinton, was the first to drive over the reopened permanent bridge. He said: “When the bridges collapsed it was devastating for the whole area and by the time we even began our recovery, trade had been greatly affected.
“The swift reaction of the County Council to build temporary bridges was great, and news that work on both bridges will be complete soon gives us all some hope after everything we have been through with more flooding and the pandemic.”
A new car park has been created at The Bridge Inn and flood defences have been improved.
The parish council has been raising funds to carry out work to stabilise the becksides of the village green and parking area to prevent more flooding in the future.
County Councillor Yvonne Peacock, member for the Upper Dales, said: “The highly-anticipated reopening of Cogden North bridge is a success story in reconnecting the Yorkshire Dales. These bridges are part of our essential infrastructure vital for residents, local businesses and visitors.
“Over recent years we have experienced several bouts of flooding affecting communities across the Dales. I want to assure residents that we continue to do as much as we can to assist in prevention and recovery.”
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “When the bridges collapsed, Swaledale saw a month of rain fall in just one night. The pictures of the destroyed bridges shocked the nation, showing the harsh reality of what a short spell of freak weather can do.
“This is a time for celebration and to show how our communities have bounced back in the face of adversity. This is a great example of the resilient Team North Yorkshire spirit.”