Tensions brew over Yorkshire bridge as Samuel Smiths bars government plans for temporary crossing
A fight has broken out over government plans to put in place a temporary footbridge to replace a flood-hit crossing in Yorkshire.
Land owner Samuel Smiths Brewery has blocked plans to put a temporary bridge over the River Wharfe in Tadcaster and criticised the local authority for not maintain the old listed bridge.
"In our opinion the proposed temporary footbridge is bad value and just an instant slight short term palliative which solves few problems," the brewery said in a statement. It said it would only agree to the temporary bridge being sited on its land "if the design and funding of the restoration and improvement of the listed bridge was agreed with us and the town first".
The brewery fears that if the bridge is not rebuilt with wider footpaths, it will lead to pressure to keep any temporary footbridge. The brewer has also said:
It seems to us a most wasteful proposed public expenditure, a typical short-term PR based sound-bite from central and local government.
Conservative MP Robert Goodwill said: "It is vitally important that whilst they are mending the road bridge that we do have a temporary footbridge in place to ensure the town can continue to function.
"I do hope they will think again and let us get on with putting this temporary bridge in place."