FRAGILE bridges could fall victim to extreme weather conditions, a civil engineering body has warned.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North-East believes the closure of Leven Bridge, near Yarm, should be seen as a signal that much of the region’s “critical infrastructure” are at risk from severe flooding.

Stephen Larkin, regional director of ICE North-East, said: “Most of the time the critical infrastructure that we use to go about our daily lives is taken for granted.

"Nothing demonstrates this better than the recent flooding in Cumbria which washed away a number of bridges in the county.

"Were it not for the continual unseen inspection and maintenance work undertaken by civil engineers these problems could have been much worse.

"The North-East is no different to any other part of the country in this respect as the detection of cracks in road surface on Leven Bridge near Yarm demonstrates.

"While there is no immediate danger of the bridge collapsing repair works are needed urgently to stabilise the structure and secure its future integrity.

Repairs, costing up to £500,000, are needed to Leven Bridge, in Yarm, near Stockton after divers found gaps between the foundations and the river bed two weeks ago.

It is estimated that repair work will take between eight and 12 weeks.

Northumberland County Council was recently forced to inspect the foundations of Alnwick Lion Bridge following severe flooding.

Like Leven Bridge, this inspection revealed scour of the river bed and forced the closure of the bridge on the grounds of public safety. Mr Larkin added: “Older bridges like Leven and Alnwick Lion Bridge are at even greater risk than more modern structures because of their age and the construction techniques used to build them. “Such historical structures can be iconic and of great importance and must be preserved for the benefit of future generations.”