THE bad weather has caused serious problems for engineers working on some of the region's bridges.

Gateshead will have to wait a little longer to be home to the world's first rotating bridge.

The wind and rain lasted too long to give engineers a chance of installing the last links at the town's quays on the River Tyne, yesterday.

It will be later today at the earliest before a floating crane at the Amec construction yard lifts the structure upright.

If all goes to plan, it will be carried six miles upstream, leaving the yard at 11am, and arriving at its permanent home at 2pm.

Meanwhile, the weather could also delay repairs on a bridge in North Yorkshire.

The central pier of Richmond's Mercury Bridge was washed away in June's flash floods and, at the weekend, even a temporary crossing over the River Swale had to be closed.

Although the latter has since reopened, the poor weather might mean the repair project missing its December deadline.

Drivers and pedestrians are risking their lives by crossing a road bridge, shut after being damaged beyond repair by floodwaters.

Creat's Bridge, which has forced closure of the Ripon-Kirkby Malzeard Road, near Fountains Dairy, will have to be demolished.

It was closed last week, but barriers have been pulled away.

Highway officials have now brought in heavy barriers, and say it is "folly" to try to use the bridge.