Restoration work on a culvert near the historic Ireland Bridge has stalled, causing problems for residents and traders

Business owners in Harden, near Bingley, had already seen their trade fall while strengthening work was carried out on the bridge.

But before it reopened last month, work to replace the culvert next to a roundabout in the village started. Work on the culvert has now ceased after engineers discovered a large sewer was in their way.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said the Council had not carried out a “full consultation” with the Bradford-based water company. He said: “We don’t think they have necessarily reviewed the plans for that area, or they would have seen the sewage pipe.”

Council representatives will meet Yorkshire Water today to try to resolve the problem.

Anthony Towler, of Harden Post Office, said: “There’s been no work done this week and only a tiny bit last week.

“I can’t get my car in the driveway and none of my customers can park anywhere near me.

“I’m having to park on the pavement outside the shop.

“I have seen a noticeable reduction in customers. We have had six months of bad trade with the bridge and then they go and do this to us.”

Anthony Larsson, a pensioner who lives in Harden, said: “I go to the shops to get my papers in the morning and to use the butchers and the chemist. Finding a place to park is difficult.”

Coun Michael Ellis (Con, Bingley Rural) has expressed concerns at the problems.

John Anderson, Bradford Council's principal engineer at its Highway Structures Unit, said: “Unfortunately we have been unable to replace the culvert as there is a large sewer in the way. The work cannot progress until either the sewer or the culvert has been diverted so we will be meeting with Yorkshire Water officials on Monday to discuss a resolution to the problem.

“We would like to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the unavoidable delay.”