RESIDENTS of Coniston Cold might be forgiven for singing that Chumbawumba song which was such a massive hit in 1998. Now we realise that many readers won't have a clue who Chumbawumba were (or are) but bear with us. Their hit song went "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down."

It's the perfect song for the bridge at Coniston Cold whose parapet spends more time in the River Aire than on the A65.

The story of Coniston Cold bridge is a farce worthy of Brian Rix. Barely six weeks ago, after five months of remedial work the "temporary" lights were removed and the full extent of the bridge was reopened.

Not for the first time the repair works lasted a few weeks before, yet again, two drivers refused to back down and proved once again that you can't get a quart into a pint pot, or perhaps more aptly, you can't fit five yards into four yards and two feet.

This is the sixth time in four years that the bridge has been out of action, on each occasion for long stretches.

The cost must be phenomenal but the Highways Agency can't tell us how much - they haven't had the bill yet for the last set of repairs.