THE "notorious" Bradley swing bridge is being replaced with an automatic system - but residents are not happy.

More than 70 of them attended a public meeting on Tuesday to express their concerns over the replacement of the Ings Lane bridge, on which work began last week.

The meeting followed a public consultation last year over the options for replacing the 70-year-old bridge and a petition against the installation of warning sirens.

"Bradley is a hollow and every sound is magnified all over the village," one resident told the meeting. "I don't think people from the outside appreciate that."

John Smith, bridge manager for the county council, reassured them that there was "no intention" at this stage to install warning sirens.

"There will be flashing lights, but the sirens won't be put in. The apparatus won't be installed unless we find there is a problem with the usage of the bridge," he said.

Mr Smith said that the county council had taken on board public opinion and had worked hard to minimise the impact of the warning system, reducing the number of lights and removing the sirens.

He said at a cost of an additional £60,000 they would install horizontal barriers, as opposed to ones that lifted into the air.

He added that the bridge had been in place for around 70 years, and had cost the county council £15,000 in maintenance costs over the last 15 years.

He said that the bridge had become difficult to manoeuvre due to wear and tear, and he knew of at least four accidents in the last 10 years.

But the installation of an electrically powered bridge has caused concern around the village. Residents feared that if the bridge broke down the road would be closed for a long time, that the warning system would be intrusive and that the emergency stop system jam or be vandalised.

Graham Lisherman, project manager for contractors Mouchel, told residents that the new bridge would meet all health and safety requirements.

"The advice we have taken is that we must treat this bridge as a danger of death. If the motorist doesn't stop he ends up in the canal. We must put in mechanisms so motorists recognise they must stop," he said.

"We want to build a bridge which is right for the village, but there is a line, we believe, for health and safety reasons that you can't cross and we have reached that line."

He added that the bridge would be inspected weekly.

Local businessman Thomas Randell said: "I have campaigned for this electric bridge.

"The current bridge breaks every health and safety legislation there is. Four or five people have had serious accidents on that bridge, it is very, very dangerous. Nine out of 10 people can't open and close the bridge and you have to get out of your car to help them. It takes forever to shut the bridge.

"This is known as 'notorious Bradley Bridge' around the country."

During the works, which are due to be completed by Easter Sunday, the canal needs to be kept open for barge users at all times.

Nick Greenwood, the site manager, promised that problems with the temporary pedestrian access over the bridge would be rectified promptly. Residents said that it was too dark, too high and too slippery, and one resident said she had been in danger of falling in the canal while crossing.

Mr Greenwood said that the bridge had to be high to allow barges to pass underneath.

A meeting is to be set up with parish councillors to discuss screening, signage and the colour of the bridge. Members favour a dark colour to minimise its impact.

They considered an option to impose a weight restriction, but agreed that the existing seven and half tonnes restriction on the road would be sufficient.

Members felt that the alternative route into the village via Skipton Road was less suitable for heavy goods vehicles.