ANGRY residents have started a petition to the Government calling for funds to replace an unsafe bridge.

Members of the Deerness Bridge Action Group are calling for £1.5million to replace the structure, which had to be closed in April when a routine check revealed it was no longer safe.

The closure of the bridge, which crosses the River Deerness between Ushaw Moor and New Brancepeth, means residents living nearby face lengthy delays in making their usual journeys to school, work and medical practices.

The petition was started by New Brancepeth resident Mike Reed, who described the route as “vital” and said a lack of funds could delay the replacement of the bridge by a year.

The petition says: “This bridge is a vital semi rural link for families and businesses in County Durham.

“It is now unsafe for use as the replacement of this 114 year old bridge was hindered by County Durham Council’s lack of strategy and funding. This lack of funds will delay replacement by more than one year.”

But Durham County Council denied that funding was an issue.

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “We are fully committed to replacing Deerness Bridge and funding is not delaying that in any way. It takes time to design and construct a bridge of this kind.

“We do appreciate how important it is that this crossing is reopened to the local community and road users as soon as possible and that is why we are installing a temporary bailey bridge that will be in place by the first week in June.”

When complete the Bailey bridge will have an 18-tonne weight restriction and traffic lights to control the single lane structure.

So far more than 200 people have signed the petition.