Two bridges which carry busy town-centre roads over Keighley's North Beck are to be strengthened.

Weight restrictions will be placed on three other bridges in Haworth, Oxenhope and Newsholme because they cannot bear heavy loads.

Strengthening work will be carried out before next April on North Beck Bridge, in Oakworth Road, and the A629 Keighley-Halifax road at Bridge Street.

Both bridges will be fitted with extra reinforcement so they can carry new 40-tonne lorries being introduced next year.

The work, costing a total of £161,000, is part of Bradford council's £839,000 annual bridge strengthening and maintenance programme.

Also included in this year's improvements programme are Sladen and Ponden bridges near Haworth, Silsden canal bridge, Doctor's Bridge in Denholme and Steeton Bridge.

By emphasising improvements to bridges on the main road network, and permanent weight restrictions in other areas, councillors hope to concentrate freight traffic on the most suitable roads.

Recent assessments by council experts has revealed a need for temporary weight restrictions on several bridges across the district. Measures include a new three-tonne limit on Lord Bridge, which carries Lord Lane over the River Worth in Haworth. Ten-tonne limits will be imposed on Crossley Bridge, which carries Jew Lane over Leeming Water in Oxenhope, and Holme House Bridge, which carries Holme House Lane bridle path over Newsholme Beck.

Meanwhile, repairs to an old bridge have been completed ahead of schedule.

The bridge over the River Aire at Kildwick was suffering from structural weakness. A full-strength temporary bridge above the weak span was built within days and the road was closed only 28 hours.

The work was carried out by North Yorkshire county council.

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