A NOTORIOUS bridge on the A65, currently undergoing repairs, is the subject of complaints by parishioners.

Coniston Cold bridge, which carries the A65 trunk road over the River Aire, has been the site of many accidents, and is now being rebuilt after a crash in which the upstream parapet was destroyed.

However, the stone being used to mend the wall of the listed structure is a different colour to that which is already there, which has prompted concern from villagers.

"Coniston Cold Parish Council is complaining to English Heritage, Highways and Craven District Council's planning department about how awful it looks.

"The new and replaced stonework should be matched to the original as it is a listed structure. I think it looks more like a patchwork quilt with all the different coloured stone," Coniston Cold parish clerk Anne Strange told the Herald.

But North Yorkshire's assistant divisional engineer, Richard Marr, said the stone did match, and should eventually blend in.

"The pink stone is what the bridge is built from, but it has weathered and got dirty over the years which is why it is a different colour now. With time it should blend," he said.

Meanwhile, Coniston Cold Parish Council has held discussions over traffic calming measures for the village.

Mrs Strange said: "The council, while still emphasising that a bypass is the only sensible solution, agreed to the plans as an interim measure. The fight for a bypass will continue."

The traffic calming measures will include larger village signs, increased road markings with colourings used on the village approaches, more prominent signs at the bridge with increased road markings, and perhaps flashing signs, lighting and speed limits if the accidents continue.

Meanwhile, the council continues to inform all interested parties every time there is a crash within the parish boundaries.

"We feel our campaign has achieved something and by using the 'dripping tap' syndrome we have put ourselves on the map, effectively making a nuisance of ourselves," said Mrs Strange.

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