THE reconstruction of Mercury bridge in Richmond will start ahead of schedule next week.

Temporary support work has allowed an assessment of the flood damage which resulted in the closure of the bridge in early June.

Piling from the top of the bridge will start after the bank holiday to strengthen the central pier. Once that has been completed repairs will start to the base of the pier where it sits in the river.

Mr Mike Moore, North Yorkshire County Council's director of environmental services, said: "We are still on target to have the bridge fully reopened to traffic in December.

"Despite recent press criticism, I hope that everyone interested in this bridge realises that everything possible is being done to get it open as quickly as possible.

"To make sure that we have kept to our programme extended working hours have been put in at critical stages. This will continue as necessary and when working conditions permit.

"Safety has to be paramount. We couldn't just have steamed in and started the repair work without getting support for the bridge from underneath.

"That couldn't be done overnight. You can't just buy that kind of material off the shelf. A lot of design work and site preparation had to be completed before the engineering team could move in and start the repairs."

While piling of the central pier is carried out there will be further excavation work to the dry arches on either side. This will allow the river to flow freely in the event of further flooding.