Work has started to repair a huge crack in Brighouse Bridge.

The damage at the bridge dates back to 2013 but after the Boxing Day floods there was concern the crack may have been getting bigger.

Specialists in wetsuits plunged into the River Calder to carry out a safety assessment of the structure earlier this month, and the Huddersfield Road bridge was given the all-clear.

Videos from the flooding

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But work to repair the crack, which had been planned before the floods, has now begun and will take a couple of months.

Local residents thought the crack had grown, but Calderdale Council says the bridge has been monitored since the floods, and there has been no change in the size of the crack, or the condition of the wall.

Clr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Work has started this week to rebuild the wall of Huddersfield Road bridge, which has been subject to serious water damage. Since Calderdale was devastated by the Boxing Day floods all key bridges and structures are being prioritised for repair where essential.

“Scaffolding is being put in place this week to prepare the site for the works and provide access. Next week work is expected to begin to take the existing wall down before rebuilding it with the same materials as the original. This careful and detailed work is due to take about two months to complete.”