HIGHWAY engineers still hope the driver responsible can be identified more than a month after his vehicle left a gaping hole in one parapet of Bedale Bridge.

An insurance claim against him is the only alternative to North Yorkshire County Council having to foot the £1,500 bill for repairing several feet of damaged stonework on the north eastern parapet.

The damage after dark in early March was rumoured to have been caused by a hit and run four-wheel drive vehicle and police have no details. The parapet has remained cordoned off.

Mike Woodford, county council divisional highways engineer, said: ''We have not done repairs yet because of other work that has been going on in that location and it would have caused too much mayhem.

"But with the nights getting lighter we hope that repairs can be done some time later this month.''

Eighteen months ago, the driver responsible came forward after a public appeal when the county council faced a bill for repairing similar damage to the parapet of the bridge between Leeming Bar and Leeming Village.

Mr Woodford said: "Someone may have a conscience and come forward." His telephone number is 01748 823323.