The main road into Silsden is to be closed from 8pm tonight until tomorrow morning so that urgent repairs can be carried out to a collapsing bridge.

Movement of the supports (abutments) of the privately owned bridge, which is off Keighley Road (A6034), 60 metres north of Belton Road, is already causing problems on the footway and if urgent action is not taken, it is likely to obstruct the road.

If it is left it could fully collapse, affecting electricity, gas and telecommunications infrastructure in the area.

To carry out the necessary repairs safely, Bradford Council Highways engineers have ordered a closure of the A6034 from 8pm tonight until 6am tomorrow.

This will enable contractors to lift off the deck of the bridge by crane in order to rebuild and strengthen the abutment. The strengthening work will then be done afterwards using temporary two-way traffic signals on the A6034 over a period of time - the time this work will take cannot be determined until the deck has been removed.

A diversion route on to the A629 towards Skipton and back on the A65 towards Addingham will be signposted. The Council Highways team is working with North Yorkshire County Council and emergency services to prepare appropriately signed diversion routes for traffic.

It is not possible to divert traffic through Kildwick because of narrow roads and weight restrictions. Access will be maintained for residents up to the point of closure.