A TEMPORARY bridge is to be installed on Grinton Moor after the stone bridge was washed away by flood water.

North Yorkshire County Council says it hopes to restore the route later this month, but repairs to the Reeth to Richmond road is due to take much longer.

Dave Bowe, corporate director of Business and Environmental Services at North Yorkshire County Council, said they were working hard to reopen the small number of roads which remain closed as quickly as possible.

He added: “Our commitment is clear in the speed with which we removed tonnes of mud and rocks from many rural routes and in our determination to resolve the more complex issue of the key B6270 which links the upper dale to Richmond. “In terms of the B6270, there are two problems to overcome here; the flash floods have caused a landslip which has damaged a section of carriageway to the east of Grinton which has removed over a quarter of the highway width, and further towards Grinton there is significant damage to the bridge over Cogden Beck.

“We are aiming to carry out temporary bridge and carriageway repairs which would allow access under traffic management to this route by mid-August and then two-way traffic flow before the end of September.

“We will also be working hard to reopen the C106 road that runs from Grinton towards Leyburn."