Buck Mill bridge, Thackley, to reopen in January after £40,000 in repairs confirmed

More than 600 people signed the petition over Buck Mill Bridge in Thackley, which closed suddenly last month for safety reasons.

It then emerged that the closure could be for "at least six months" due to a lack of immediate funds to carry out the repairs needed.

Bradford Council had said that the costs was beyond its maintenance budget, so it would need to find the money before the repairs could be carried out - and it was likely to be into the next financial year.

Now the Council has confirmed that the repairs will cost between £35,000 to £40,000 - and the repairs can go ahead in the New Year, meaning the bridge should be back open by the end of January.

The bridge, which connects Thackley and Baildon, is used by local residents to get to work and school, to access the nature reserve, and for walking and horse riding.

Moves to repair Buck Mill bridge and reopen it in two months have been welcomed

Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said of the latest confirmation: "Although I am disappointed that it will be almost two more months before it will be reopened, this is clearly good news and a victory for the hundreds of local people who contributed to the campaign and signed the petition.

"I have asked to be kept updated on the progress and will keep up the pressure for it to be completed sooner if possible."

Cllr Griffiths added that he had been told by Council engineers that their assessment showed the footbridge was fit for purpose and could be repaired.

Work is expected to be completed by January 19, he added, based on the latest delivery time for the necessary materials.

He added that the new reopening date was "a huge improvement" on what was originally put forward.

He also thanked all those that got involved in the campaign.

A Bradford Council spokesman, said: “Buck Mill bridge was closed in October after an inspection found deteriorated decking.

“Estimates show the repairs will cost approximately £40,000 and financial resources have been approved to fund the work.

“We will be working very hard to fix the bridge as soon as possible and expect the repairs to be completed by the end of January.

“Safety has to be our top priority so the bridge will remain closed until the works are finished.”

The issues first came to light when one of the Council's contractors was doing some routine repairs on the bridge, which dates back to 1889.

They discovered that decking had deteriorated more quickly than expected. The cost of repairs was thought to be beyond the authority's maintenance budget, so the funding would need to be found to repair it.

At the time a number of people spoke out about the lengthy closure.

Christine Hardaker said: “I’m appalled that the bridge was allowed to get into such a dangerous condition that it had to be closed so suddenly."

Tasha Dyson added: “During lockdown and now beyond we have really benefitted as a family from spending time together on walks.

"At a time when we need to think about walking more and driving less, it seems ludicrous that a footbridge which allows so many people from Idle and Thackley access to so many places, without driving, is closed.”