RESIDENTS have raised concerns that an unsafe bridge in a Ryedale village will soon lead to an accident.

The bridge, at Kirkham Abbey, was damaged more than three weeks ago and is secured only by red bollards and plastic fencing, which residents say does not provide a safe shielding from the river below.

Sarah Brotherton, who lives in Whitwell and regularly uses the bridge, said that the bridge had become extremely dangerous and despite promises from North Yorkshire County Council that it would soon be fixed, nothing has been done.

She said: “It is a very busy road and lots of people use it, especially at weekends when people park at the abbey and walk across it.

“I suggested putting CCTV on there so that they could see who damaged it but they said that it was too expensive. It is extremely dangerous. A car could scare someone’s dog for example and it could end up going over the edge.”

Richard Marr, Highways and Transportation Area Manager for Ryedale and Scarborough District Areas said that he expected the work to be complete by the end of the current financial year.

He said: “We are looking at the repair work and are waiting to see whether we could so some work to the road between the bridge and the level crossing at the same time.

“I would expect the work on the bridge to be completed before the end of the current financial year.”