A temporary bridge was put in place over the weekend to provide an outside link to around 100 residents.

Last weekend's downpours caused havoc when the stone bridge across Thornhope Beck, near Wolsingham, County Durham partially collapsed - after it was damaged by debris swept down by the fast-flowing water.

Around 100 residents in the Tunstall Reservoir area were stuck in their homes as the bridge provided their only vehicle access.

A temporary bailey bridge was installed on Saturday and the finishing touches completed earlier today (Sunday, May 26). Repair work on the original bridge is due to start soon.

But while Durham County Council swiftly dealt with the temporary bridge, residents in Cowshill at the top end of Weardale are calling for urgent drainage work.

Alison Humble, who lives at Burtreeford in the village, said it was only thanks to residents’ persistence that flooding had not already damaged half a dozen homes.

“Every time there is a storm there is flooding, the drains just aren’t able to cope," she said.

“We have had three storms in the last 12 months and each time there is flooding.

“The families here have been able to prevent substantial damage but what if they are not here or are unable to help?

“The council has carried out remedial work but it is not enough, the main issue has not been addressed and until it is residents won’t be able to relax whenever it rains.”

Weardale county councillor John Shuttleworth said: “I am not civil engineer but even I can see that what has been done in Cowshill is not enough.

“The council needs to act to ensure more damage is not caused.”

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager at Durham County Council, said there are two drainage issues in Cowshill which the authority is addressing.

He said: “We are part way through replacing a culvert outside Bridge View and have negotiated access rights to private land in order to complete the work on the downstream section.

“We are also undertaking a CCTV survey to ascertain the extent of damage to a culverted watercourse in the verge leading down to Burtreeford Bridge. “Following this, we will arrange repair works as soon as possible.''