Whole again: Tadcaster rejoined by temporary footbridge

Two halves of a town which was divided when its historic bridge collapsed inChristmas floods have been reunited by a new footbridge.

Mother and daughter Chrissie and Barbara Wilson, who live on opposite sides of the River Wharfe in Tadcaster, were the first two people across the bridge.

They met in the middle of the new metal structure and hugged and kissed before crossing to the west side of the town, followed by hundreds of delighted residents.

The North Yorkshire town has been divided since its 300-year-old road bridge dramatically collapsed on December 29.

Barbara (right) and Chrissie Wilson, a mother and daughter who live on opposite sides of the River Wharfe in Tadcaster, make their first crossing over a temporary footbridge which was built following the collapse of the main bridge after severe flooding. Credit: Press Association

Chrissie, whose house in east Tadcaster was flooded on Boxing Day, has had to use a nearby viaduct to visit her mother in the west of the town, while Barbara, known as Babs, has found it difficult to visit her daughter due to the distance by car without the road bridge.

Chrissie said she was "very relieved" to have the new footbridge.

She added: "It's a relief for the whole town."

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

The bridge was destroyed in flooding at the end of December 2015 Credit: Press Association

Contractors have worked 12-hour days, seven days a week, since January 25 to complete the task as quickly as possible.

Hundreds of people gathered on either side of the river and watched as ribbons were cut by Nigel Adams, MP for the Selby and Ainsty constituency, and David Jeffels, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council.

People streamed over the bridge to the west side of Tadcaster, many carrying glasses of champagne, to celebrate the new opening.

Residents of Tadcaster make their first crossing over the temporary bridge Credit: Press Association

The bridge is 100 yards downstream from the partially-collapsed road bridge and spans 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 brewery refused permission, saying it was standing up for the conservation of the town.