MOTORISTS can expect weeks of delays in Richmond after one of the major routes in and out of town has been partially closed because of a damaged bridge.

Station Bridge, also known as Mercury Bridge, in Station Road, Richmond, was damaged on Saturday night when a tractor and trailer crashed into the side wall, causing a large part of the parapet to topple into the River Swale.

After a clean-up operation at the weekend, the road is now partially open with a traffic light system in place, while highways engineers work out how best to repair the damage with minimal disruption to residents and visitors.

The accident happened at around 9.45pm on Saturday when a Massey Ferguson tractor pulling a trailer full of straw bales crashed into the left-hand side of the bridge while on its way out of Richmond towards the Station.

The trailer overturned, sending bales into the river and across the road, taking away a large part of the parapet and causing possible structural damage.

On Sunday morning, North Yorkshire County Council highways engineers were assessing the extent of the damage and are now working out the best way to make repairs.

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said the traffic lights now in place on the bridge are likely to cause more traffic disruption in the already congested town, but that officers were working hard to find a solution.

He said: “It will be a big job to repair and the county council is working on plans.

“The traffic lights will have to be in place until it is properly mended because it is a large chunk of the parapet that is missing. Hopefully in the next week or so they will have a better idea of what is to come, and I will be working with them to ensure as little disruption as possible.”