A MEETING of campaigners worried about the closure of a Stockton bridge have met with councillors and council officials to discuss transport problems.

Residents in the town have been worried about bus diversions going through a residential area while Londonderry Bridge on Durham Road is replaced, with some concerned they will no longer be able to get a bus into town.

Stockton Borough Council officials are now reviewing how better to manage the bus diversions and have met with members of the public.

The bridge replacement, led by the Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, is designed to reduce the flood risk to around 150 properties in the area and is expected to take around six months to complete.

Cllr Nigel Cooke, the authority’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “In reality, there is no way of delivering a major project of this nature without causing significant disruption and I think the residents now have a better understanding of the complexities we are facing, while for our part, we have a better understanding of their concerns too.

“We will be in contact with residents as soon as we are in a position to bring forward an alternative proposal.”

The replacement of Londonderry Bridge is planned as part of the wider Lustrum Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme. The arches of the old bridge obstruct the flow of the beck. The new bridge will be single span.