BUSINESSES near York are expecting to lose trade when a damaged bridge is closed for repairs next month.

But East Riding of Yorkshire Council has brought forward the planned repairs to prevent future disruption.

Sutton Bridge, between Elvington and Sutton-upon-Derwent, was damaged by a lorry last January, and was reopened in Fabruary, subject to vehicle and speed restrictions.

Elvington Parish Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are preparing to close the Grade II listed bridge on June 14 for up to six weeks of major repairs.

Thomas Fitzpatrick runs the Elvington Village Store, and said the closure would affect local businesses.

“They have to do it but I do not know why it should take six weeks. The council said they would be working from sunrise to sunset, and contacting households in the area asking them to support local businesses. We were almost 60 per cent down for the four weeks it was closed last time,” he said.

Mike Ball, principal engineer with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said scaffolding would be put up before the closure to save time. “It is regrettable that we have to close the bridge for such a length of time but due to the narrow width of the bridge, together with the extensive and complex nature of the work, it is unavoidable,” he said. “Carrying out the work in the middle of summer will allow contractors to make best use of the natural light as they work around the clock to reopen this bridge as soon as possible.”

The bridge and approach road from Sutton-upon-Derwent will be resurfaced, and the existing traffic signals will be improved and relocated. Pedestrian and cyclist access to the bridge will still be available, but all vehicles will be diverted along the A1079 and via local roads past Newton-upon-Derwent.

A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “The repair works will require closure of the bridge, but residents’ access to nearby properties should not be affected by the resurfacing of the approach road.”