EIGHT bridges crossing the A1 in North Yorkshire are set to be demolished as part of the Leeming to Barton motorway upgrade scheme.

The bridges to be demolished include Catterick South, Tunstall Road, Fort, Brompton South, Brompton North, the redundant Catterick Railway and Kneeton Hall.

A team of 40 people, including 30 staff from Shildon-based PTS Demolition & Dismantling and its network of suppliers and subcontractors, are expected start work on the complex civil engineering demolition project next year.

All waste generated during the demolition process will be recycled.

The demolition of the bridges will enable the widening of the road, which is currently the narrowest section of the A1 between London and Edinburgh, to form a three-lane motorway, replacing the existing dual carriageway.

Dave Gauja, managing director of PTS, said the scheme was an unprecedented demolition project in the region.

He said: “The demolition of eight bridges in one single project is a major undertaking in terms of logistics and engineering and we are delighted to be involved in such a ground-breaking development which will dramatically improve connectivity between Scotland and the South of England.”