A MAJOR bridge strengthening scheme in Milnsbridge will take 14 weeks and during that time it will be closed to traffic in one direction.

Work on the bridge in the centre of the village will begin in early to mid August.

And during that time traffic heading towards Manchester Road will be barred and the bridge will be completely shut for two weekends.

The bridge is more than 120 years old and carries Market Street over the River Colne.

Essential strengthening works will begin in early to mid August.

A Kirklees spokesman said: “Traffic management during the scheme has been carefully designed to help keep traffic moving through the village and avoid lengthy delays.

“All Milnsbridge-bound traffic from the A62 Manchester Road will be able to go over the bridge without any hindrance, while the outbound traffic towards the A62 Manchester Road will not be able to access the bridge and will instead follow the signed diversion route via Longroyd Bridge.

“There will be two weekend road closures when the bridge is closed to all vehicular traffic and alternative signed routes will be in place.

“To help local traders the traffic management will also provide an opportunity to create parking bays along a decommissioned lane on Market Street outside the shops.’’

He added: “The bridge strengthening and refurbishment works will take approximately 14 weeks to complete and will have long-term benefits for the local economy.

“By increasing the load capacity of the bridge to the 40 tonne national loading requirement, it is possible to avoid a permanent weight limit being imposed which would disrupt traffic and the community and mean certain vehicles could not access the bridge.

“The works include the installation of new bridge girders, waterproofing the bridge deck, parapet and scour protection works and painting.’’

A public information session is being held at the Baptist Church off Bridge Croft in Milnsbridge between 9am and 1pm on Tuesday, July 31.

More information on the strengthening works and traffic management will be available for everyone who attends the session.

The works were approved by Cabinet in early July.