A BRIDGE has been repaired and restored almost a year after it was damaged by flooding.

Residents in Weardale, County Durham, had restricted access after the 200-year-old Thornhope Bridge partially collapsed during severe weather in May last year.

A temporary replacement across the bridge was installed to ensure the 100 residents in nearby Tunstall Reservoir were not stranded and also to re-open access to a caravan park.

This was then moved further down to make way for full repairs and strengthening as well improvement work on the river banks in a £235,000 scheme.

John Reed, head of technical services, Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted that this permanent link is now back in place.

“Since the original bridge collapsed we have worked closely with the local community to ensure alternative and temporary structures were in place.

“Apart from repairing the damage to a bridge which dates back to the 1800s, we have also strengthened it and altered the river banks to minimise further risk from flooding.”

The bridge was damaged at the end of May last year by debris being swept down the beck by flood water.

At the time, residents were unable to get their vehicles across the bridge meaning several who relied on cars were effectively housebound.

A resident speaking at the time of the collapse said: “"There was a hole in the bridge, it got a bit bigger and then there was this enormous crashing noise and part of the bridge simply disappeared."