Concerns have been voiced over flooding and damage at a strategic bridge on one of the busiest routes in North Yorkshire.

The main A684 from Northallerton to the A1, Bedale and the Dales was closed again last week as flooding from Storm Babet brought traffic to a standstill at Morton-on-Swale bridge.

Four young women had to be rescued from their vehicle when it got stuck in the rising river in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The road was reopened within two days, but further problems are ahead after the Grade-II listed bridge was damaged in the fourth crash in the past five years. Part of the bridge wall was demolished. It is understood there was a collision involving a tractor.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The main A684 road was closed after flooding

For villagers, the flooding causes further problems as traffic, including HGVs and farm vehicles, try to turn round because they cannot get over the bridge.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said crews from Northallerton, Bedale and Richmond responded to reports of four females trapped in a car in floodwater at 2.42am on Saturday. Fire officers helped all four out of floodwater using water rescue equipment. Ambulance crews were also in attendance. It is understood no-one was seriously injured.

One local resident said: “This is a historic bridge built for horses and carts now vulnerable to more frequent floods and it is the main crossing linking Northallerton to the Dales and A1. It’s still not been repaired from the last damage that occurred to it months ago yet they are building more houses in Leeming creating more dependence on this bridge.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Workers remove debris, including a huge tree trunk, from the River Swale at Great Langton, where

“This ancient crossing has caused issues for decades, not only its angle over the Swale that makes large lorries approaching difficult for oncoming vehicles, hence the repeated number of bridge strikes and the subsequent repair delays they create, but also the road to the bridge. This bridge and infrastructure was made in the 1700s for horses, it’s time for a more suitable solution.”

The road was last closed after being flooded in November 2020 and calls were then made for investigations to see if work could be done with drains under the road or embankments to stop the Swale swamping the A684. In July 2018 the bridge was damaged after only reopening in April of that year following repairs to extensive damage.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Workers remove debris, including a huge tree trunk, from the River Swale at Great Langton, where

Morton on Swale Parish Council said it is awaiting repairs to start by North Yorkshire Council, but it could be some time. Because the bridge is Grade II listed stone has to be matched and consultations held with historic groups. Even when work gets underway, one way traffic lights will have to be installed on the bridge.