A major programme of roadworks on York's ring road is entering a dramatic stage with the removal and replacement of two bridges on the A64.

A massive crane will be brought in to carry out the engineering feat on bridge decks at Damlands Lane, Fulford, and on the flyover at Fulford Golf Club.

The club's course is split in two by the A64 and it has vowed to stay open even when the bridge linking its two halves is replaced this spring.

The management say a temporary walkway will be in place but they are annoyed that a relatively new bridge should have to be replaced, and that the timing of the work coincides with the opening of their season.

The work is part of a six-month multi-million pound joint initiative between the City of York Council and the Highways Agency, to rectify decay on the ageing ring road.

Other work has involved the reconstruction of roundabouts at the junctions of the A59/A1237 and Wigginton Road/A1237.

But the replacement of the two 350-tonne bridge decks - at a cost to the Highways Agency of £750,000 - will prove especially challenging.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The contractors haven't been signed yet, but they will be bringing in some very large cranes or lifting equipment.

"They will bring in the bridge decks at night, when there will be lane closure and diversions. There may have to be some lane closure during the day but disruption will be kept to a minimum.

"The work is likely to start around April time."

Ron Bramley, general manager at Fulford Golf Club, said: "The bridge has only been there for 28 years which doesn't strike me as a very long time. It's surprising that after only that time there's a chemical problem with the deck.

"The timing could have been better. We start playing on the first of April through to October and for this to come along is not good.

"But we are going to carry on playing, with the help of a temporary bridge. We now await confirmation of the start date. We know it will be in the spring which is not ideal because it's in our playing season. Don't ask me if we like it."

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