A COUNCIL has been accused of "dragging its feet" over a bid to save a historic bridge which has fallen into disrepair.

A rescue package is being drawn up for the ancient bridge used by Oliver Cromwell to cross the River Hodder near Stonyhurst College.

Locals in Bashall Eaves and Great Mitton have been looking for help in saving the bridge after it was revealed stanchions had suffered serious damage and the structure was unstable.

A joint scheme involving the Ribble Valley Council and English Heritage was launched after a diving survey revealed that the bridge was "badly undercut below the waterline" and urgently in need of attention.

But the rescue package has fallen far short of the £35,000 needed to put the structure right.

Now former Clitheroe county councillor Ron Pickup, who has fought to save the bridge since it was deemed unsafe in 1996, has accused Ribble Valley Council of dragging its feet over the matter.

"I understand that the bridge suffered further damage from floating logs in recent floods and that over 50 per cent of the funding to repair it has been pledged, but the borough council is dragging its feet.

"Here we are in the 'centre of the kingdom' and our most famous historic monument is falling apart."

Planning officer Richard Kirkby said about £18,000 for the repair work had been pledged by English Heritage, Lancashire County Council and Bashall Eaves and Great Mitton Parish Council.

"We are investigating various ways of getting the remainder of the money together and will obviously be making a contribution ourselves.

"Ideally, we would hope to see the work done over summer, when the waters are low.

"We hope to be getting on with it soon."

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