A BRIDGE damaged by floods could be partially reopened within weeks under a schedule of work drawn up by contractors.

The Mercury Bridge, at Richmond, has been closed since severe floods washed away part of its stonework at the beginning of last month.

Repairs are not expected to be completed before December, but yesterday North Yorkshire County Council said it may be possible to open it to pedestrians and light traffic at an earlier date.

Piling will start next week for steel arches which will support the remaining stone bridge, with the steel girders arriving on site early next month.

The girders will be erected in a site compound and then slid into position, and by early September the remaining stone structure will be supported and the main body of the work will be under way.

County environmental services director Mike Moore said: "Once the bridge structure is safe, a detailed assessment will be carried out to determine the extent of the damage and the design requirements for the repair.

"After this inspection, there is a possibility of opening the bridge for pedestrian and light vehicular use.

"Everyone is conscious of the effect this bridge closure is having on Richmond and the surrounding area."

Contractors Morrison Construction and Pell Frischmann Consultants have put together the work schedule, with the project managed by Mouchel.

Stone has now been placed in the river to divert flows away from the damaged central pier.

Richmondshire Business and Tourism Association is holding a meeting to discuss the effect of the closure at the King's Head in Richmond tomorrow, from 6pm.

Association chairman Mike Nicholls said they were also carrying out a survey to establish how badly businesses had been hit by the closure.