REPAIR work to three damaged bridges close to a Yorkshire Dales village will be completed within six months, says Cumbria County Council.

The authority was given the green light to fix the damage at Cowgill Bridge, Stonehouse Bridge and Barth Bridge - all near Dent - from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority last year.

Andy Stephenson, clerk of Dent Parish Council, said the council was 'extremely frustrated' no work had started yet.

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"As we approach one of the main tourist seasons we have bridges that represent the site of a disaster zone," he said. "I know the council are in a difficult financial climate but these bridges have been in this state for too long."

His view was echoed by Anthony Playfoot, who lives 50 yards away from Cowgill Bridge, which reportedly dates back to around 1702.

He said the damage occurred around two years ago when a lorry pushed a grit bin back into the wall and has since got 'progressively worse'.

"Since then nothing has been done except the bin has been removed, the plastic barrier placed to cover the hole has fallen into the river and has been supplemented by a forest of cones," said Mr Playfoot, a 66-year-old former police diver who now repairs brass musical instruments.

"When I first notified them it would have been a small job but if we wait much longer the bridge will become impassable.

"The hole is big enough for a vehicle to fall down, four of the coping stones are in the river bed and the planning application has slid down the pole, and nothing is being done.

"As this seems to have fallen to the bottom of the 'things to do' list because of the location in which we live, I feel that if something is not done soon this part of the Dales will be cut off."

A county council spokesperson said: "The county council has worked with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to obtain listed building consent and is now working to satisfy various conditions contained within the consents. It is expected that work will be completed on all the bridges within the next six months.”