RESIDENTS are up in arms over delays to repairing a major road bridge which has brought mayhem to the heart of a market town.

Work to repair the parapet of Mercury Bridge, in Station Road, Richmond has taken ten months and it is now due to reopen on May 8. But local people say it’s appalling that is has taken so long.

The bridge was damaged on July 11 last year when a tractor and trailer carrying hay bales crashed into the side wall, causing a large part of the parapet to topple into the River Swale.

The road is one of the main routes into the town from Catterick Garrison and the A1.

North Yorkshire’s highways department is carrying out the repairs and they say the work has been delayed by a number of issues. A spokesman added: “There were some early contractual issues to resolve relating to the provision of the new stone and during the work water was found to be leaking heavily from nearby underground services. This had to be dealt with especially as scaffolding had been erected nearby.

“The listed building consent required that as much of the original stone as possible was reused. Unfortunately, during the repair it was identified that more stone than initially expected was damaged and therefore further new stone needed to be provided.’’

Traffic on the road has been restricted to one lane with traffic lights. Traffic diverted off the A1 during closures while work is carried out on the new motorway have added to the problems.

Richmond councillor Clive World said the delays have hit the town badly, especially as the tourist season looms.

“This is an important bridge, I know there have been problems because of the A1, but it has caused a lot of concern and heartache for residents,” he said.