Work starts on temporary footbridge for Tadcaster

Work has begun in Tadcaster to provide pedestrian access the River Wharfe after the 300-year-old road bridge collapsed on December 29.

The temporary bridge will be located on land owned by local councils after a row with Samuel Smith's brewery, which refused to allow the structure to bebuilt on its land.

North Yorkshire County Council said contractors will work 12 hours a day, seven days a week to complete the task as quickly as possible.

The metal bridge will be assembled on the banks of the river and it is hoped work to push the structure across will begin on Friday and take a further week to complete.

The new bridge, will span from the Selby District Council car park to Tadcaster Town Council land, with an access path through Tadcaster Albion Football Club's car park.

The original plan was to cross the river to land owned by Samuel Smith's.

But the famous brewery refused permission, saying it was standing up for the conservation of the town.