A HUDDERSFIELD road bridge will be repaired - two years after failing a safety test.

One-way restrictions have been in force on King's Bridge, since 2004.

Highways officials have now won £1m Government funding to bring it up to modern-day safety standards.

But the bad news is that it could take about 10 months to do the work.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: "The project is now in the budget for the coming financial year and work to strengthen the bridge is due to start in early summer.

"It is very major work and should be completed by spring 2007."

The bridge was closed to two-way traffic after a survey showed the side spans were not strong enough.

Temporary lights were installed to reduce the traffic flow to alternate one-way.

Thousands of motorists use the bridge each day between Firth Street and Newsome.

Weaknesses were identified after checks in the wake of a European Union decision to allow heavier lorries on Britain's road.

The bridge is council-owned and carries the road over the River Colne.