“Unforeseen circumstances” has led to the start of a £1 million project to replace Oak Beck Bridge being delayed, council officials say.
The scheme, which is planned by North Yorkshire County Council, will see the bridge on the A59 in Harrogate replaced.
Authority officials say the bridge is in poor condition and needs to be replaced.
Work was due to start in January, but a start date for the project has yet to be confirmed.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council when it expects to start work on the scheme.
Philip Richardson, bridges manager at the authority, said:
“We realise the importance of replacing Oak Beck Bridge. Unfortunately we have not been able to progress the scheme as quickly as we would have liked due to unforeseen circumstances and we cannot confirm a start date.
“At the moment our legal team are still in talks over land agreements for the widening and discussions with Yorkshire Water are ongoing in relation to apparatus close to the existing structure.
“Please be assured that we will begin work as soon as we are able and provide suitable notice.”
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Meanwhile, The Stray Ferret reported this week that the project is set to cost taxpayers £1 million.
A contract valued at £1,067,929.93 has been handed to Leeds-based Howard Civil Engineering to demolish, design and build the new bridge.
The company said on its website that work would take 24 weeks and access would be maintained over the bridge.
It said:
“Access over the bridge will be maintained throughout the project, with the exception of night works for surfacing.”
The A59 road on which the bridge is situated is heavily used by traffic, especially by people visiting Aldi, B&Q and Pets at Home on the Oak Beck retail park.
The volume would increase if Tesco is given permission to build on the former gas works site nearby.
