URGENT repairs to a busy canal swing bridge will now go ahead as its control mechanism is in a "dangerous state."

The proposed closure of the bridge, over the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Micklethwaite, was first reported in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday.

Now it has emerged that emergency services have raised no objections to the surprise plan, and Bradford Council highways bosses have now informed local councillors that the bridge would definitely be shut on Monday for two weeks of essential repairs.

Despite fears of a fortnight's traffic chaos, Darren Badrock, Bradford Council Principal Engineer, emailed concerned parties with the news early yesterday.

"We have received no objections from the emergency services regarding this proposed closure and, as such I will be preparing a closure order today, for works to commence on Monday, March 23," Mr Badrock wrote.

"Following discussions with the bridge operators and their contractor yesterday, the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic daily from 7.30am to 6pm, and will be opened up overnight and during the weekend of the 28th/29th.

"Pedestrian access will be allowed across the bridge at all times.

"The works are being carried out at short notice as it has been found that the control mechanism is in a dangerous state and needs to be repaired immediately.

"At the same time as the mechanism is being repaired some upgrades will be made to the bridge to avoid the need for a second closure in the future," Mr Badrock stated.

The decision has renewed arguments over access to a controversial 440-home Redrow and Bellway Homes development already approved by Bradford Council planners, but heading for an appeal in October.

In that scheme, the existing bridge will be replaced with a new wider two carriageway version and would be the only permanent way in and out of the new estate.

An emergency access and exit is proposed via Oakwood Drive, which would have a removable bollard in case the bridge ever became temporarily unusable.

However Terry Brown, chairman of the Greenhill Action Group which opposes the housing scheme said the closure would illustrate a major problem and traffic diversions would prove to be "a nightmare".

"It doesn't matter if it's a new bridge - if it's mechanical it can stop working at any time.

"Undoubtedly the parts for a new bridge will not come from the UK and so that would add delay to any future repairs and the bollard scheme in Oakwood Drive is not designed to cope with any long term situation," Mr Brown said.

Bingley Councillor Mark Shaw said the decision to shut the bridge both outside and within the Easter school holidays would inconvenience the maximum amount of local people.

"It's really going to hit the fan - but it does mean we will have evidence to back up all the arguments against Sty Lane we've been making for years," Cllr Shaw said.

Darren Badrock, Bradford Council Principal Engineer - Network Resilience and Management, said: "These works are being carried out at short notice as we have been informed by the bridge operators that the control mechanism for the opening and closing of the bridge has been found to be in a dangerous state.

"We believe that this work will prevent closures in the imminent future."