Traders say they face financial ruin after plans to carry out vital bridge repairs were approved.

Raw Nook bridge, in Cleckheaton Road, Oakenshaw, will close on Saturday after residents voted for work to replace the corroded bridge to begin.

At a neighbourhood forum in Aldersgate Methodist Church, Oakenshaw, last night, residents voted by 41-15 for Railtrack to start the work.

The company had said if the work did not start this week, the next time that it would be possible would be Easter 2002.

But traders in Oakenshaw village say the closure will spell disaster for their businesses.

Bakery owner Paul Bostock said he feared that his business would lose 80 per cent of its trade because once the bridge was closed Oakenshaw village would become a cul-de-sac. He said: "I'm looking at losing £2,000 a week and I don't think we can survive that."

Councillor Danny Mangham (Wyke, Lab) said he appreciated problems facing the traders but the bridge needed to be replaced.

Jon Meacock, of Railtrack, apologised for the company's failure to consult despite the fact the project had been planned for at least 12 months.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.