THE closure of a flood-ravaged bridge has cost traders £500,000 a month, and losses are continuing to mount.

Richmond Business and Tourism Association highlighted the massive losses yesterday as it stepped up its campaign for a temporary bridge to be installed over the River Swale, while the 19th Century Mercury Bridge is restored.

The association has completed a comprehensive survey of the impact of the bridge's closure on the town's businesses.

About 30 per cent of traders responded to the group's survey, which chairman Mike Nicholls said was a large enough sample of the population to be "statistically significant".

Mr Nicholls said the overall results showed a decrease in turnover of 13 per cent which, with the annual turnover of all businesses estimated at £52m, represents £6.5m a year, or £500,000 a month.

The figures will be presented to North Yorkshire county councillors when they meet for an environmental services urgency sub-committee meeting tomorrow.

Work to repair the bridge, on the A6136 Richmond to Catterick road, is continuing seven days a week and full restoration is due to be completed by December.

Engineers will also consider whether the bridge can be re-opened to light traffic and pedestrians in September.

The listed structure collapsed in early June after severe flooding of the River Swale and, last week, the business association also called for a temporary bridge to be put in place.

However, officials have told councillors that such a bridge would cost £370,000 and could only be installed by mid-October.

And with work on course to be completed in December, he said the proposed bridge's two-month lifespan would not represent good value for public money.