THE main entrance to Sutton Clough, a popular local beauty spot, has been closed after officials condemned a footbridge.

The timber bridge stretching over the beck within the entrance from Hall Drive has become rotten and public rights of way officers have closed it for public safety.

The handrail in particular is thought to be dangerous and the bridge spans a long drop into the beck below.

The move comes at the start of the summer holidays when children traditionally head to the wooded area to play and go camping, but officers have promised to get the bridge replaced as soon as possible.

Andy Hunter, the area rights of way officer, said: "Concern has been expressed about the state of the bridge in the past but it was not sufficiently serious to warrant doing anything.

"But bridges like that have a finite life and things can go wrong quite quickly from one year to the next. We hope to get it open as soon as we can."

A recent detailed inspection of the footbridge found that the structural condition of the bridge was far worse than envisaged.

The bridge was immediately closed, and a second opinion sought before it was officially condemned.

County councillor Philip Barrett said: "I can assure the public that this wasn't a decision that was taken lightly by North Yorkshire County Council and I accept that it will cause considerable inconvenience, but ultimately public safety must be given top priority.

"I have been working closely with the public rights of way officer to have this access reopened as soon as possible.

"However, I have been informed that a complete new bridge is needed and although instructions have already been issued for one to be supplied as quickly as possible it will inevitably mean that this access will be closed for some time.

"On a positive note, I understand the replacement will be a bridleway bridge which will provide an improved access to Sutton Clough in the future."

Mr Hunter said that the county council had given the parish council the option of funding a larger bridge over which vehicles could pass into the Clough for maintenance.

But parish council chairman Chris Suri said that the vehicular bridge would have cost more than £20,000, which had not been budgeted for.

Members agreed to go for the smaller bridge in order to get the work done as quickly as possible.

Mr Hunter added: "We are taking the old one out now, and as soon as we get the go-ahead we should be able to move quickly to replace it with a new one."

The Clough is not closed and there are a number of alternative footpaths leading into the woodland, although some are quite a distance from the village and some cross private land.