CONTRACTORS have finished repairing Buck Mill bridge, which is expected to re-open to the public this afternoon.

In October residents of Baildon and Thackley, two areas connected by the bridge, raised serious concerns when it Bradford Council announced that insufficient funds may mean the damaged bridge would be shut for "at least six months."

But after local uproar the Council announced that the repairs would be made sooner than expected.

The bridge is popular with cyclists and walkers.

Officers and contractors have worked to quickly turn around the repairs to the bridge - which was closed for safety reasons after a routine maintenance check found it to be defective.

The bridge now has new ekki hard wood decking which should be robust enough to withstand many years of use.

Buck Lane footbridge in Thackley 'closed down for six months' over repairs

The work was expected to be completed at end of January, but is expected to reopen this afternoon (Friday).

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We understand how important Buck Mill bridge is for local people so we are delighted to have been able to turn these repairs around so quickly.

“Officer and our contractors have pulled out all the stops to make this happen.

“I’d like to that local people for their patience.

“Safety always has to be our top priority so as soon as inspectors give the bridge the all clear, it will reopen it to the public.”