Bingley's relief road has taken a major step-forward with the lowering into place of a new bridge.

The structure, which will carry the existing Ferncliffe Road over the relief road and the Leeds Liverpool canal, was lifted into place yesterday.

The new bridge will form part of one of the most complicated areas of the new road lay-out, which will feature four slip-roads and act as the main link into the town.

During the operation, ten 32-metre steel beams, each weighing 16 tonnes, were lowered on to bridge supports.

The deck of the bridge will be finished by late May and, once completed, will carry Ferncliffe Road at a height of 17ft over the relief road and canal.

Peter Scally, project manager for the Highways Agency, said the work on the bridge represented a milestone in the relief road project.

"Now that the beams at Ferncliffe Road Bridge are installed, construction of the bridge deck can commence," he said. "The bridge will then link into a new bridge over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and beams for the canal bridge are to be installed next month.

"When both bridge decks are completed, traffic will be diverted over them and the existing Ferncliffe Road will be excavated and removed."

Work on the bridge, carried out by major contractor Amec, began in November when the canal was drained to allow work on the supports to take place. It was re-filled last week in time for the tourism season, but the canal will be closed again in November when works on the bridge continue. Work is also about to begin on the deck of the new bridge to carry the existing Dowley Gap Lane over the relief road, another of the 26 major structures featured in the project, pictured. Mr Scally said the work was on schedule.

"Considering the very wet start to the year, Amec has made excellent progress, and is well set to continue in this vein for the rest of the year," he said.

The Bingley Relief Road project is due for completion in autumn 2004.