SCHOOL transport in the Allen Valleys could grind to a halt if plans to repair a listed road bridge go ahead, a councillor has warned.

Sipton Bridge, on the B6295 between Sinderhope and Spartylea, is a vital artery for buses and taxis accessing Allendale Primary School.

But essential maintenance works could see the bridge close for six weeks, at a cost of £400,000.

Local county councillor Colin Horncastle says the bridge provides essential access for motorists between Allendale and the North Pennines.

And with no obvious diversionary route, he fears school transport, public service buses, and other motorists, will suffer.

Speaking at a meeting of Allendale Parish Council last Thursday, Coun. Horncastle said no timescale had been set for the start of works by highways chiefs at Northumberland County Council.

He explained: “They are proposing to fully close it for six weeks. There is no way they can keep one side of it open to traffic, and the figure they gave me for the job was £400,000.

“I have suggested that they either get on with it now, or wait until the spring. If they do it in the winter it would be silly as they would lose working days.”

Coun. Horncastle said the installation of a temporary bridge has been considered, but in the absence of a hard-and-fast solution, he feared the worst for motorists.

“A temporary bridge is not really possible because of the way the burn is there,” he added.

“I’m thinking there will be so many people put out by this, including school transport and ordinary buses.”

Coun. Horncastle said it would be wise to invite highways chiefs to the next meeting of Allendale Parish Council, on October 6, to discuss the proposals and give both councillors and members of the public the opportunity to have their say.

He added: “People could come along and talk about the hardship this would cause them and we could consider possible alternative routes.”

Coun. Margaret Stonehouse suggested that delaying the scheme until the school summer holidays in July 2017 would be the best solution.