RAIL bosses have been accused of 'vandalism' after a historic bridge was painted yellow and black in a bid to reduce accidents.

People in Whalley said they were stunned by Network Rail's decision to paint the arch of the Victorian stone bridge in Mitton Road yellow and black.

Network Rail, which maintains the country's railway infrastructure, carried out the paint job over several nights last week, closing the road in the process.

The company said it was necessary to stop so-called 'bridge bashes' -- when vehicles strike the bridge, normally caused by tall vehicles getting stuck -- but a councillor said today she couldn't remember when the last one took place.

Resident Shaun Sumner, who lives close to the bridge, said: "It is gross vandalism and sacrilege on a grand scale.

"I don't think there has been a greater act of vandalism to the village's heritage since Whalley Abbey was left to fall down.

"The yellow and black won't make much of a difference to people because high vehicles are already guided out into the middle of the road and there are plenty of warning signs in advance so people can stop if need be.

"It's an absolute disgrace that they can come along and do this without any advance notice to us about what they are actually planning to do."

Borough councillor for the village, Coun Joyce Holgate, said: "It's not in keeping with the area, and I'm not surprised something like this would upset folk.

"I knew the road was going to close overnight sometime last week but didn't know what for.

"I don't think the bridge has a massive problem with accidents."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We can understand the concerns put forward by residents in Whalley, but we were carrying out bridge strengthening work there and decided to do this. There have been accidents there in the past and hopefully this will stop them in the future."

She was unable to say when the last accident took place.

When a vehicle hits a bridge, all trains running over it have to be stopped until structural checks can be carried out.

The line which runs through Whalley carries at least one train each way every hour on the Manchester to Clitheroe route.