BUSINESSES in Elvington are joining forces to petition against a permanent weight restriction proposed for Sutton Bridge.

Businesses which transport heavy loads themselves or receive deliveries have said they are being hit hard by the extra cost of detouring to avoid the bridge.

The bridge, which was damaged in January, has had a trial 7.5-tonne weight restriction on it since September.

Elvington Parish Council and local residents have called for the restriction, which could be in place until March 2012, to be made permanent.

But Roy Handley, of A1 Plant and Haulage, said every time his HGVs cannot cross the bridge costs him £10 in fuel and time, adding an extra half hour to journeys. “I can’t put the load up by £20 just because we can’t cross the bridge.”

He said local businesses were told they would still be allowed to cross the bridge, but there was nothing official.

A group of about 12 businesses, including local farmers, is going to launch a petition against the plans for a permanent restriction.

Tom Fitzgerald, who runs local shop Elvington Stores, said the diversion was affecting the cost and availability of his deliveries.

He had to pay increased charges for his bread deliveries, and his supplier of chilled and frozen foods had restricted its deliveries from twice to once a week because of the extra cost.

“The local village people here say it’s nice and quiet and they’re happy about that. But if they don’t have a shop it will be very quiet indeed,” he said.

Charles Small, owner of Small’s Sweepers, said he has seen a considerable increase in the amount of fuel they were using, which they had not allowed for in their budgets.

“And the A1079 is already overloaded with traffic, so it would be common sense to keep more traffic off that road,” he said.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is carrying out research and consultation with City of York Council and the police during the trial, and said it had received considerable comment both supporting and opposing the weight limit.

Only emergency services vehicles, gritters and farm traffic were exempt, the council said.