WORK is set to go ahead to safeguard the future of businesses with the replacement of a flood-blighted bridge that often cut off access.

North Yorkshire County Council, along with public and private sector partners, will carry out the work thanks to a £1.8m grant towards the £3.3m construction of a new bridge and road near Thirsk.

The project will benefit businesses on the Dalton Industrial Estate, an important local employer five miles from Thirsk near the A168, and the local community, which have had to deal with access problems caused by recurring flooding.

The solution is a new bridge and road scheme, and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will be the project sponsor to enable the scheme to proceed.

The new bridge across Cod Beck on Dalton Lane will be wider than the current bridge and a 350m stretch of elevated road with new embankments will provide the best possible flood protection.

The work is expected to cost £3.3m with Dalton businesses providing £1.2m through a loan from Hambleton District Council and the Environment Agency putting £288,000 into the project. The remaining £1.8m is being provided by the LEP through the Government’s Local Growth Fund. The county council formally agreed to accept the grant at its meeting on Tuesday, September 27.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie said: “A strong economy is a top priority for the county council, and this is an example of partnership working in practice for the good of the economy. The investment will safeguard jobs and support growth.

“The new Dalton bridge will help to open the way for growth on the industrial estate where past floods have led to lengthy diversions for business traffic and severe disruption for neighbouring villages. Both businesses and community will benefit from a far better bridge and highway that will not flood.”

The authority has also helped to fund the design costs, will cover the cost of managing the construction and is waiving some charges associated with projects of this type. Hambleton District Council has contributed £267,000 to cover a feasibility study and detailed design, as well as managing the design phase and providing the loan to the Dalton businesses. Planning permission for the scheme has been secured.