THE reinstatement of a bridge in plans for a £325m upgrade of the A1 has been welcomed by community leaders.

The Highways Agency had deleted the bridge near the village of Pickhill from a scheme to widen 25 miles of the motorway in North Yorkshire.

However, the structure has now been reinstated.

The rethink comes after Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh joined local people in voicing concerns.

They said that without a bridge over the new motorway at Street Lane, near Pickhill, local traffic would have to travel through nearby Sinderby to cross the A1.

This fuelled fears of a large increase in traffic through the village.

Councillor Peter Sowray, North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for transport, said the change of heart by the Highways Agency was "brilliant news" for local residents.

"Without the bridge, there would have been excessive traffic running through Sinderby," he said.

"And emergency services travelling from the west would have had a longer journey to get to Pickhill."

The Highways Agency made the changes to its original plans following a public consultation last June.

The three-year project is due to start in 2008.

A stretch of the motorway from Dishforth to Barton will be widened to three lanes.

Junctions will be built at Baldersby, Leeming, Catterick and Scotch Corner.

Details of the scheme are on show to the public at Leeming Bar Services from 10am to 8pm on Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

They will also be displayed at the Scotch Corner Hotel from 10am to 8pm on May 26 and from 10am to 4pm on May 27.

Any objections must be sent to the Highways Agency, 9th Floor West, City House, New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 4UR, by June 9.