A date has been set for the reopening of a key bridge in North Yorkshire.
Aldwark Toll Bridge will re-open to all traffic on Saturday 17 February.
It comes ten months after it was closed last April for repairs.
Aldwark Bridge location
Aldwark Toll Bridge crosses the River Ure and connects Little Ouseburn with Aldwark. It is one of the UK’s only privately-owned toll bridges.
The closure has caused a 25-mile detour via Boroughbridge for many drivers.
It was scheduled to reopen on 30 October, but the work has overrun. The toll will remain at 40p and £1 depending on the size of vehicle.
In an update, Dudley Valentine, operations manager for the bridge, said: “You will notice that the proposed traffic light control system is not yet in place, but will be installed in due course.
“It is hoped that the majority of regular users will take advantage of the advance ticket purchasing available on the website.”
Christophe Gitton, director of the Aldwark Manor Estate, said: “The closure of the bridge affected our residential, leisure and corporate guests and many regular customers have been going elsewhere while it’s been closed.
“We are also usually a popular destination for people travelling up and down the A1, so we are delighted at the news that the toll bridge is reopening on February 17.
“We reopened our golf course on June 1, and the bridge’s closure affected our membership numbers as well as pay and play.
“Our leisure and spa facilities also relied heavily on local clientele from the other side of the bridge. It’s one of those scenarios where I don’t think people realised how much they needed the bridge, until they weren’t able to use it.
“The impact on our business, other businesses and the local community has been significant, but we also appreciate how important it was for the work to be done.
“The reopening of the bridge will also be a huge relief for dozens of our team members as their commute to work will take considerably less time!
“With the ongoing investment in Aldwark Manor Estate, including the new golf course and our new Chartwell restaurant opening in the spring, the reopening of the bridge is wonderful news for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming clientele, old and new, from the other side of the river!”