A WEAK bridge in Settle is to be strengthened enabling heavy lorries to use a more direct route to the town's industrial areas.

Currently, lorries destined for Sowarth Industrial Estate have to negotiate the centre of Settle and numerous residential streets.

Once the bridge is strengthened they will be able to come directly off the bypass and down Station Road in Giggleswick - a shorter alternative to the present route through Duke Street, Market Place, Church Street, Kirkgate, Bond Lane and Station Road, avoiding Penny Bridge.

Settle Town Council has learned that a strengthened, or new, Penny Bridge capable of carrying lorries of 40 tonnes could be provided during 2001. Councillors, who have long been pressing for something to be done with the bridge, welcomed the move.

"We have been fighting for this for a long time," said Coun Geoff Craven.

John Smith, North Yorkshire County Council's bridge engineer, confirmed something would be done to strengthen Penny Bridge in the 2000/01 financial year.

A study is currently under way, looking into whether the bridge is capable of being strengthened, or whether a new structure will be required. It is hoped work might start later this year, but everything is dependant on the outcome of the study, which is due to be completed later in the spring.

The wagons' present route takes them through residential areas, plus Settle Market Place, past a number of churches, three establishments for handicapped people, children's playing fields, and the site of the new primary school on Bond Lane.

Residents have been complaining about the heavy lorries since it was revealed that Penny Bridge was too weak to take their weight, which ruled out the short route from the bypass.

But not everyone will be happy about the decision to upgrade Penny Bridge.

Residents in Station Road, Giggleswick, would object because the lorries would now thunder past their doors, said town council chairman Beth Graham.

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