A LANDOWNER blamed for blocking the restoration of a swing bridge is optimistic that the project will go ahead.

On Thursday, Yorkshire Dales National Park chiefs claimed the bid to replace the crossing, at Reeth, North Yorkshire, which was washed away during the storms last September, could be in jeopardy.

Although it did not name him, the authority indicated that the landowner was claiming one of the surviving abutments was pushing water from the River Swale onto his land.

He was reported to have demanded a bund to limit the risk of further flooding, even though it would increase the overall cost of the restoration scheme by more than a third.

However, David Sizer - who owns the land on Harkerside Bank - has confirmed he will be meeting a delegation from the Yorkshire Dales National Park to discuss the matter further.

"I spoke to the authority on July 26 and they seemed quite optimistic that agreement would be possible," he said.

"Foot-and-mouth will prevent it being rebuilt this year, but I am sure a solution can be found."

Mr Sizer added that he had no wish to prevent the bridge from being rebuilt.

However, he admitted he still has concerns over the siting and design of the bridge, the effect public use will have on his land and the issue of erosion along the riverbank.