PART of Selby's new £44 million bypass was closed yesterday - only 11 days after it was opened.

The stretch of road from the A1041 to the A63 north was out of bounds to motorists for more than eight hours after problems with the new swing bridge over the River Ouse.

The bridge was closed to road traffic at about 3pm yesterday, leading to long tailbacks.

Frustrated drivers at both sides of the bridge turned round and took alternative routes.

The bridge finally reopened just after 11pm.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said today that the bridge was opened for a boat on the River Ouse, but could not be closed again.

She said there was a problem with the hydraulic mechanism on the north side of the bridge, but stressed it was unrelated to the previous problems with the hydraulic jacks.

She said the problem had now been corrected and apologised to motorists who had to be diverted by police.

The long-awaited bypass was partially opened on March 17, but it was two months later, on June 11, when the stretch from the A1041 to the A63 north finally opened.

The delay was caused by "design" problems with the four hydraulic jacks on the new swing bridge.

Updated: 10:43 Wednesday, June 23, 2004