WORK to repair and improve Kay Street Bridge in Summerseat following flood damage has begun.

The bridge was damaged by the Boxing Day floods of 2015, which also caused the collapse of the Waterside Inn.

Following the floods, the bridge had reopened to pedestrians, but the demolition of the pub left it with no permanent barrier on the upstream side, meaning it has remained closed to traffic ever since.

Rebuilding work had to be extensively revised after surveys revealed the bridge’s foundations had been damaged much more than first thought.

Work has also been suspended for the last few months due to Environment Agency rules which did not allow river access during the fish breeding season.

The initial phase will re-establish the site compound so that work proper can begin on June 1, the earliest possible date allowed by the EA permit conditions. The work is scheduled to take 20 weeks.

Discussions have taken place with the contractor, A E Yates, who have confirmed that all works carried out will be in compliance with current Government guidelines and construction sector working practices in relation to Covid 19 restrictions.