WORK to strengthen bridges across Kirklees may be paid for by the Government.

A team of surveyors from the Department of Transport in Leeds and London have visited the area to help the council's highways team make a cash bid.

Several bridges have been closed or had width restrictions placed upon them after new European Union rules came into force last year which allowed heavier lorries on Britain's roads.

King's Bridge at the bottom of Newsome Road and Union Bridge, Marsden, were among several bridges inspected by the team as part of a safety tour of the area.

Both are subject to traffic restrictions which cause hold-ups.

The council is planning to make a multi-million-pound bid to the department's local transport plan section.

Cash is available to strengthen bridges affected by the changes.

Bridges now need to meet more stringent loading standards.

A Kirklees highways spokeswoman said: "The team travelled around the area looking and advising the department on the bidding process.

"They travelled to various bridges around Kirklees including Huddersfield, the Colne Valley, Batley and Dewsbury."

Officers have to wait until December to find out if their bid has been successful.