A BRIDGE in a Ribble Valley beauty spot which closed for major works resulting in visitors having to embark on a 25-mile detour has been re-opened.

Residents and traders in Slaidburn raised concerns about the timing of structural repairs to the Croasdale Bridge cutting off the main thoroughfare into the Trough of Bowland.

Known locally as The Skaith, the single track C-road was due to be closed for up to three weeks as part of the work by Lancashire County Council.

But now engineers have completed the major structural repairs four days ahead of schedule.

Principal bridge engineer David Leung said: "We know the closure has caused some disruption and we're very grateful to local people for their support and cooperation.

We found out more about the condition of the bridge as the job went on and the new concrete fill really was needed.

“The old material wasn't in good condition and this intervention was very timely to prevent any further deterioration."

The bridge was originally scheduled to be closed until Thursday, but it was reopened to traffic on Sunday.

The county council said that while work was going on the opportunity was taken to install a crossing for United Utilities’ water supply, preventing a further closure in future.

It is expected that the work done will last many years, saving the historic structure which dates from 1765 for another generation.