A LOCAL route has re-opened after repairs to a flood-damaged bridge.

Rastrick Bridge at Brighouse opened yesterday, ahead of schedule.

The bridge was badly affected by Storm Ciara in February and had been closed to vehicles since late April, after diving surveys found holes under one of the central pillars and cracks in one of the bridge arches.

Calderdale Council’s scheme of complex repairs began last week with the first stage involved working from a raft positioned under the bridge to pump concrete support into the holes. The second phase saw the installation of boulders around the bridge to add further protection.

Brighouse town centre toilets to re-open

The council says despite the recent heavy rainfall, all of these works are now complete. It was originally scheduled to reopen in mid-July, said Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot). She added: “I’m really pleased that Rastrick Bridge is reopening earlier than we anticipated. I know this will be welcomed by those who travel in the area, and we thank them for their patience whilst the road has been closed. The damage caused to the bridge by Storm Ciara was extensive and required careful, specialist work.

“Council and contractor teams made remarkable progress on the repairs in some very challenging weather conditions and despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are confident that the works will make the bridge stronger and more resilient to any future flooding,” she said.

With other roadwork or repair schemes – at the A629 Calderdale Way and A6025 Brighouse to Elland road – also under way in the wider Brighouse area, Rastrick residents had complained they were experiencing increased amounts of traffic using the A6114 through their area and were worried about speed issues.