HALTON motorists breathed a huge sigh of relief this week after council bosses ruled out a move to close Denny Beck bridge.

Outraged residents in the village have been lobbying to keep the vital road link open after Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson initiated investigations to close it to traffic.

He was lambasted by Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith for his "daft ideas" and this week county council chiefs reacted to the speculation and definitely ruled out talk of closure.

Chairman of the County Council, Cllr Ruth Henig, said: "Recent speculation in the press about the future of Denny Beck bridge has led to a great deal of local uncertainty and concern. I believe that this bridge is a vital part of Lancaster's traffic system and this is why the county council saved the bridge from closure in 1992. At the time, when we stepped in to safeguard this bridge, it represented an integral part of Lancaster's road network. This situation has not changed."

Lancaster's county councillor, Bob Clark, said: "As a member of the highways and transportation committee I know that there has never been any proposal to close this well used route. I would certainly strongly oppose any moves to sever this vital link."

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