Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

Thompson Twins

Doctor! Doctor!

Listen Live Podcasts

Feasibility study to look at replacing or rebuilding Skipton bridge

Friday, 9 January 2026 07:08

By Joe Willis, Local Democracy Reporter

Horse Close Bridge. (Photo: Google)

A feasibility study is being planned on whether to replace or rebuild a narrow bridge to improve access to potential new housing sites.

North Yorkshire Council has sought funding from Homes England for a review of Horse Close Bridge, in Cawder Lane, Skipton.

The study would assess whether it was better to upgrade the bridge, which crosses the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, or build a new bridge nearby.

The Craven Local Plan requires improvements to the crossing if housing is to be built on nearby land.

Two sites which could provide around 190 new homes have already been identified.

One of the sites is owned by the unitary authority.

The council has agreed to accept a £21,000 grant for the study from Homes England.

Hugh Smith, the council’s delivery and infrastructure officer for planning, said in a report to members:

“The local plan identifies a requirement to improve or replace Horse Close Bridge over Cawder Lane as part of the planning approval process.

“The bridge which provides vehicular access over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is narrow, without a footway for pedestrians.

“This represents the main barrier to these sites coming forward. This level of infrastructure represents a significant financial ask of each scheme, the extent of which needs to be further understood.”

Mr Smith said recent discussions had taken place between the council and the adjacent landowner to understand the appetite for delivering the housing.

The report says the existing stone bridge is of historic character, but is not listed.

More from Local news

Leeds Bradford Airport to launch weekly flights to Santorini

Leeds Bradford Airport is set to launch weekly flights to the popular Greek island of Santorini - starting next Summer.
Addingham Gala Festival set to be 'Out of this World'

Addingham Gala Festival returns on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July and this year's theme is 'Out of this World'.
Transdev partners with Yorkshire and North West Air Ambulance charities

Regional bus operator Transdev has announced a new charity partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance and North West Air Ambulance Charity.
Herriots Hotel in Skipton awarded Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

Herriots Hotel shared they were named Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award Winner for 2026.
North Yorkshire Council told to apologise to parents over home-to-school transport failings

North Yorkshire Council has been told to apologise to parents after failings were found over its handling of their home-to-school transport appeals by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Food festival to come to Skipton this August

This August at Aireville Park, Skipton will see a 'Feastival'.
North Yorkshire Council plans six-week school summer holiday in 2027/28

School children in North Yorkshire will get a six-week summer holiday next year — a week less than this year’s seven-week break.
BID supports Council to give businesses to have their say on Town Investment Plan

Skipton BID is working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council to give local businesses the chance to have their say on future investment in the town.
Charity rounders tournament to support hospice charity

At the end of this month a charity rounders tournament will raise money for a local hospice charity.
York and North Yorkshire visitor levy must be kept simple, report finds

Simplicity must be a priority if a visitor levy is introduced in York and North Yorkshire, a new report concludes.
Seven new homes planned on Addingham green belt land

Plans have been submitted to Bradford Council for a seven property development on the edge of Addingham.
Councillors' addresses to be removed from council website to prevent harassment

The home addresses of North Yorkshire councillors are to be removed from the public register to protect them from harassment.
Flamingo Land stabbing suspect jailed for four and a half years

A man who carried out an unprovoked stabbing at Flamingo Land has been jailed for four and a half years.
Woolly Sheep Inn win at Pub and Bar awards

The pub located in Skipton took home a win last week.
Woolly Sheep Trail set to start in Skipton over the summer

Knitters and weavers have been hard at work to bring the brand-new Woolly Sheep Trail herd to life for the first time in Skipton.
Skipton Gala announce cancellation of fireworks due to rising costs

The Skipton Gala is taking place tomorrow (Saturday 13th June).
Former Lioness travels through Silsden and Addingham as part of Comic Relief challenge

Former Lioness, Jill Scott travelled through Silsden and Addingham yesterday.
Firm, fair and friendly policing for 'odd' World Cup

North Yorkshire Police is ready for an ‘odd’ World Cup amid a zero-tolerance warning on anti-social or criminal behaviour.
Skipton MP meets with North Yorkshire Police Over Dales Traffic and Anti-Social Behaviour Concerns

Julian Smith MP has met with senior officers from North Yorkshire Police
Family pay tribute to 'kind and caring' teen who died near Burnsall

The family of a 13-year-old girl who died after being rescued from the River Wharfe near Burnsall have paid tribute to their "bright, kind, and caring" daughter.