PLANS for a new swing bridge at Bradley were unveiled this week at a special exhibition held by North Yorkshire County Council.

As the Herald has reported, the bridge on Ings Road needs replacing due to wear and tear.

But the original scheme included warning sirens and lights which residents felt would create a disturbance, and hundreds signed a petition, objecting to the plans.

On Wednesday representatives from the county council, engineering contractors Mouchel and British Waterways told residents that their preferred option, a stone bridge, would not be feasible.

The stone bridge would have to be at least two metres higher than the water level, meaning it would be far higher than residents expected.

County Coun Irene Greaves said: "There were five to six options but most of them for various reasons have been eliminated. We have looked at replacing the swing bridge with a stone bridge but as the computer generated pictures show the stone bridge would be too high."

There was mixed reaction from residents about the new plans, but overwhelming support for the removal of the noisy sirens. The bridge would be similar to those at Kildwick and Skipton.

Resident Derek Booth fully supported the plans: "I think what they are proposing is a good idea. They should do it next week!"

Another resident Ted Germaine told the Herald: "I would like to see a stone bridge but I realise that the expense is probably disproportionate. The new bridge will be much more modern, but I am a little bit sceptical about whether it will break down."

But some residents complained that there seemed to be only one option on the table.

Parish councillor Steven Taylor said: "We really don't like the way the whole thing has been handled. It seems that this bridge design has been forced upon us."

Although the warning sirens have been removed from the plans, there will still be flashing lights and automatic barriers.

"One of the main concerns was the siren, and it will be much to the relief of a lot of people in the village that it has been removed," Coun Taylor continued. "But the automatic barriers and flashing lights will still be an eye sore."

Parish council chairman Fred Hirlam added: "I think the basic design of the bridge is satisfactory, but I would like to see the garish colours removed."

Local comments will be taken into consideration when the final decision is made.