THE grade II-listed Creets Bridge on the Ripon to Kirkby Malzeard road is to undergo urgent work as it is in danger of collapsing.

The saga of whether the bridge should be restored in its original form or re-built with a wider roadway has been continuing since the floods of November 2000 when it was extensively damaged.

Conservationists want it restored as it was but local people say the width of the bridge is not suitable for modern-day traffic.

But engineers with North Yorkshire County Council are so concerned about its state that stabilisation work is needed in the interests of safety and preservation of the structure.

Steelwork has been erected to support the arch and will then remove and store part of the stonework. The work should be completed in four weeks.

Any work carried out will not prejudice the final decision on the bridge's future. English Heritage and the Environment Agency are being kept fully informed about the temporary work.

North Yorkshire County Council's planning and regulatory functions committee will further consider the current application to widen the bridge at its meeting on Tuesday, June 11.

A temporary structure has been in place since the floods, operating with traffic lights.