Divisions have been sprung up between East Yorkshire communities over plans to limit HGVs using a popular bridge.

Villagers in Sutton-on-Derwent signed a petition calling for a weight limit be put on the Derwent River Bridge – known locally as Sutton Bridge – on the B1228 near Elvington.

Now East Riding of Yorkshire Council has proposed an 18-month trial of a 7.5tonne weight limit, but residents in some towns and villages are unhappy, since it would redirect HGVs to them.

Parish councillors in Shiptonthorpe said the village already had more than 1,500 vehicles per hour using the A1079, commenting “the thought of any unnecessary increase is preposterous”.

Parish councils in Asselby, Bubwith, Ellerton and Aughton, Everingham and Harswell, Foggathorpe, Goodmanham, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Kilpin, Londesborough, Melbourne and Seaton Ross have also objected, as well as City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Catton Parish Council and Market Weighton Town Council both support the plan.

The Grade II-listed bridge has twice been closed for repairs this year after it was damaged by a lorry.

Local businesses experienced a sharp drop in trade, and East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight has written to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

He said: “There is no guarantee that further damage will not be caused to this bridge…due to the apparent incompetence of some of the drivers of heavy goods vehicles who seek to drive over the bridge vehicles which are clearly too wide for the bridge structure. I hope the council will agree that further measures do need to be taken to protect the bridge from future damage.”

Officers at the council said the trial would give them time to make a more detailed assessment of the bridge and see what effect the displaced lorries have on the surrounding area.

The weight limit will not apply to emergency services, buses, agricultural vehicles and gritters.

There is currently a temporary width restriction operating at the bridge following repair work.

The proposal for the trial restriction will go before East Riding of Yorkshire councillors on Wednesday.