Funding for a Cowling footbridge project has survived the Government’s Spending Review.

North Yorkshire County Council will now carry out work on Ridge Mill Bridge, starting in January.

There were fears the £200,000 project would fall victim to the cuts, but Councillor Patrick Mulligan revealed the project had received the go ahead.

“North Yorkshire will be dedicating its entire bridge projects budget to it,” he said.

The bridge over Gill Beck was wrecked in February 2008 when gale force winds blew a tree on to it.

Footpaths on each side of the footbridge have already been closed temporarily to allow early stages of the work to be carried out.