THE long-awaited project to replace a flood-blighted bridge – which will also bring expansion to a business estate – will now start within months.

Dalton Bridge is the main entrance to the Dalton Industrial Estate near Thirsk but it has been plagued by flooding for many years.

When it occurs, it often results in the narrow stone hump-backed bridge being closed for days - restricting access to the estate and the neighbouring community.

However tenders for the much heralded £3.3m replacement scheme are now being sought ready for work to begin in April.

The Dalton estate houses some of the district’s largest companies – many of which were founded there and now have global reach.

It employs around 850 people in everything from steel stockists and pet food production to the second largest privately owned perfume and flavour business – but with improved access expansion plans are on the cards.

The cash is coming from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, te district and county councils and the Environment Agency.

Businesses based on the park are also contributing and have joined forces to levy extra business rates through the Business Improvement District process.

“Putting together the funding for this scheme has been a long and difficult process – but to see it all there and the bridge construction now only months away is very exciting,” said Hambleton council leader Mark Robson.

And the county’s executive member for highways, Don Mackenzie, added: “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.”