BRIDGES and watercourses damaged by the devastating Boxing Day floods will soon be undergoing an extensive programme of repairs.

Engineers will start work on the Esholt suspension bridge and Ilkley’s Denton Bridge on Monday.

Both the Esholt footbridge and the Ilkley road bridge will be closed for around eight weeks while the bridges are scaffolded, repointed, resurfaced and repainted.

The demolition and rebuilding of flood-damaged walls in Keighley Road and Bradley Road in Silsden will begin on August 15.

Bradley Road will be closed for 12 weeks, while temporary traffic lights will be in place in Keighley Road.

And Myrtle Park in Bingley, where the bridge has already been lifted back into position and re-opened, will also see further repair work done this month.

Other schemes across the district are undergoing design work and divers are still being employed to check for scouring - a process where water currents can undermine the integrity of bridges.

Bradford Council has been given £2.4 million from the Department of Transport to carry out the long-term repairs, which are designed to build resilience against future flooding.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “Although it was not as obvious, nor as dramatic as some areas of the country, the flooding in Bradford caused widespread and serious damage to many bridges, walls and culverts.

“Our highway structures team have been working hard to keep up with the repairs needed to ensure long-term protection against a repeat of the bad weather.

“In designing and carrying out this work we are seeking to reduce future flood risk and build resilience to resist future damage. We are also making improvements such as at Mill Hey Bridge, Haworth, where the new bridge parapet will have holes to let flood water flow into the river instead of causing damage to people’s homes.”

Further schemes are being planned at Shipley, Addingham, Haworth, Keighley, Oakworth, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Wilsden, and Bierley.

Cllr Ross-Shaw said: “This is all essential work and we hope the public will be patient during any traffic disruption caused.” For more information about the work, call 01274 431000.