BARNOLDSWICK'S New Road could be closed to heavy wagons from next spring - unless strengthening work is carried out to the old railway bridge at Kelbrook.

Highways officials at County Hall have confirmed the grim news to West Craven county councillor David Whipp, after he highlighted the effect the proposed 7.5 tonne weight limit on the bridge would have on the whole area.

Speaking at a meeting of the county's highways committee, Coun Whipp said: "The economic and environmental impact will be very harsh if this bridge is closed to heavy wagons. Industry will be hit and residents and other road users on diversion routes will be badly affected by the displaced traffic."

Several large Barnoldswick firms would have to divert their lorries if the weight limit was imposed, including Silentnight Beds which has a large fleet of lorries at Moss Shed.

The diverted wagons would have to rumble through Kelbrook, Sough and Earby, negotiate the treacherous Wysick Hill, and approach Barnoldswick from Thornton.

Alternatively, they could leave and enter the town on the country road through Bracewell, to link with the A59.

Coun Whipp, speaking at the meeting, made a plea for urgent remedial work on the concrete bridge if it could no longer be safely used by vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

He pointed out that New Road had been built to give the town an adequate road access, and that local industrialists had been aghast when news of the proposed weight limit had been "leaked" in recent months.

"The road is a lifeline for jobs. It must not be closed to lorry traffic," he said.

However, Coun Whipp was told that, at the current rate of spending, it could be many years before the strengthening work was done. It was 15th on the priority list and, at an estimated £300,000, was the most expensive project.

Committee chairman Coun Richard Toon said there were severe difficulties all over the county. The problem was getting worse as inspections revealed more and more bridges in need of work.

However, he agreed that the economic impact of weight limits or closure should be taken into account when deciding priorities.

The committee agreed to that and it was also decided to lobby the Government for more cash for bridge replacement and repairs.

The specific question of the proposed limit on New Road will also be referred to a special sub-committee in view of the widespread opposition to the scheme.

Town and parish councils throughout West Craven have already written to the county council setting out their strong opposition to the plan, and members of the business community are being urged to do the same.

At Earby Parish Council, Coun Jack Cross said there were often several vehicles, including lorries, parked on the bridge, in the large laybys on either side of the road, as well as traffic passing over it. He said the first step should be to prevent parking on the bridge by closing off those laybys.

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