RESIDENTS have expressed their concerns about plans to build a new road bridge across the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Skipton.

A joint consultation between Craven District Council, which hopes to build around 80 new homes at Horse Close, and its development partner, Barnfield Investment Properties was held to gauge opinion about a new bridge, next to the existing canal bridge at the end of Cawder Lane.

Skipton ward councillor, Andy Solloway, who delivered 300 leaflets around Greatwood and Horse Close in an attempt to get people to attend the drop in session, said around 80 people attended.

"Both Craven District Council and Barnfield were given a very strong message that building a new bridge would create more traffic issues on the estates, potentially becoming more of a cut through avoiding Keighley Road than it already is," he said.

"It is absolutely vital that any replacement bridge project, if built, involves North Yorkshire Highways and is designed in such a way to prevent heavy traffic from using residential areas."

The site was originally part of the now defunct Skipton Developments project and about 14 years ago, the only large scale housing development planned for Skipton.

"Now, we have large numbers of housing developments not only being approved, but also many largely or totally completed. Is it now time to take stock and see what effect they have on our infrastructure," said Cllr Solloway.

"Given that the sewer down Shortbank Road does not seem to be able to cope along with the one on Rectory Lane, and the Burnside development seems to need its own pumping station, I think this may be a good time."

The council, which late last year accepted a Homes England: Accelerated Construction Grant of £2.3 million aimed at helping local authorities, like Craven, build its own homes, is asking people in the Horse Close area for their comments about a new road bridge across the canal.

A planning application for the bridge will be submitted by Craven Barnfield Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture partnership between Craven District Council and Barnfield Investment Properties Ltd.

The joint venture partnership hopes the new bridge will be built alongside the existing, narrow canal bridge, from Cawder Lane to Keighley Road and will be used by vehicles.

The listed canal bridge will remain where it is, and be used by just people on foot and cyclists, says the council.

A further application for housing at the site will be submitted later, when residents will be able to comment again.