A CAMPAIGN to widen a narrow bridge which villagers say is a hazard was dealt a blow this week.

Residents of Kirkby Malzeard have complained for years that Creets bridge is too narrow and is a danger to motorists.

The stone bridge, which is only wide enough for one car to cross at a time, partially collapsed in the floods of November last year and needs repairs estimated at £300,000.

North Yorkshire County Council had planned to take the opportunity to rebuild the bridge to its original design and make it slightly wider. But the bridge is a listed structure and conservation group English Heritage is insisting that the council rebuild exactly as it was.

Council officers met with villagers on Tuesday night. Mr Brian Jones, the council's client unit manager in charge of the project, told the D&S Times: "We did want to widen the bridge but we needed approval from English Heritage in order to get listed building consent and it has been against widening it from day one."

The council is now looking at a scheme similar to that used to repair the flood-damaged Mercury bridge in Richmond. But it could be months before the work even starts.

A temporary bridge had been put in place, but council officials say this could have to go because of the complicated nature of the rebuilding work.

Villagers reacted badly to the news. Mr Rob Atkinson, owner of R and J Atkinson's butchers in Kirkby Malzeard, said: "I was born and bred in the village and there has been a lot of accidents and near misses on that bridge. Just making it a yard wider would make all the difference.

"It was alright in the days of packhorses, but when there are 38-ton juggernauts coming through, it is no good."

He dismissed claims by English Heritage that the bridge should be rebuilt as it was. "English Heritage doesn't live here and doesn't have to use it," he said. "I know people don't like change but all we want is it widening and made safer. It could be built to the same design, with the same materials, just a bit wider. We are not talking about Fountains Abbey. We are talking about a bridge."

Council officers will give a full progress report at the next meeting of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council on September 24.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: "It is a grade II listed, 18th century bridge. The whole point of it being listed is to offer it some protection.