CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up their fight to restore a North Yorkshire river bridge linking two communities which has been missing for 34 years.
A replacement bridge has been gathering dust in a council yard for almost three years after the landowner on the south side of the river refused to allow the crane needed to put the bridge in place to cross his land.
Skewkirk Bridge, which crossed the River Nidd, was demolished in 1969 by a landowner.
It linked a bridle path running between the villages of Kirk Hammerton, near York and Tockwith, near Wetherby.
A new plea to restore the ancient crossing was made by Keith Wadd, vice-chairman of the West Riding Ramblers' Association, when he addressed county councillors at a meeting in Harrogate yesterday.
They voted to investigate compulsorarily purchasing the land so the "bridge in waiting" could be installed.
That has been the situaton since 2000, with efforts at negotiation failing.
A progress report will be made in February.
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