The partial collapse of Elland Bridge is sure to spark traffic chaos.
Calderdale Council leader Tim Swift has revealed that it will be difficult to set up suitable diversion routes due to the bridge’s location used as the main route for drivers travelling from Brighouse to Elland .
Clr Swift also said that extensive repairs are likely to be needed to the bridge so it’s highly likely it could remain closed for some time.
“It will continue to be closed for the foreseeable future”, he said. “Emergency services, as well as engineers from the council and the Canal and River Trust, who own the bridge, have been on-site assessing the damage and it’s likely that extensive repairs will be needed.
“Due to the location of the bridge it’s difficult to provide diversion routes, but we are working with our partners to identify a temporary solution.
“The collapse of the bridge at Elland, and the damage to the A646 in the Upper Valley means that only essential journeys should be made around these affected areas.
“We need to keep roads clear for emergency services and recovery vehicles.”
There is access from Brighouse via Elland Road and Park Road onto the bypass but not into Elland and the diversion to Elland is via the bypass and Stainland Road into West Vale.
Flood repair work is still ongoing in Calderdale.
The army is helping council staff, emergency services and volunteers, repairing damage to walls and flood defences, while the council is collecting damaged items and debris which have been left on pavements.
Hundreds of sandbags in areas most vulnerable to flooding have been put in place, while unfilled sacks and sand have been made available from the local community hubs for residents.
And staff are continuing to inspect all structures along the Calder Valley to check they are safe and undamaged.
