WORK has started to strengthen the central pier of a bridge damaged by floods and it could be reopened to traffic next month.

Piling work on Richmond's Mercury Bridge has now started, with a rig on top of the bridge and piles then sunk into the structure to ensure it is stable.

Once completed repairs will then start on the bottom of the pier where it sits in the river.

North Yorkshire County Council is looking at the possibility of installing a temporary bridge on the existing structure, opening it to light traffic and pedestrians for the first time since it was closed in early June.

The temporary bridge would mean a one-way traffic system could operate until the bridge is fully reopened, expected to be before the end of the year.