Bridge closure cuts off village

Residents of a Lincolnshire village say a six-week road closure to allow for a bridge restoration is affecting trade.

Work to repair and strengthen the 200-year-old Red Bridge outside Helpringham has closed the road between it and nearby Heckington.

And there is concern that diversions are forcing drivers onto single track lanes which cannot take the traffic.

Lincolnshire County Council said it will complete the work in time for local events at the end of the month.

'Has to be done'

James Footit, who works at the Nag's Head in the village, says the closure has had a major effect on business.

He said: "It is going to be very hard for us but what can we do at the end of the day?

"There's nothing we can do. The bridge has be done.

"It did affect us over the Bank Holiday weekend - we're normally really busy and last weekend, with it being closed, we weren't half as busy as we normally are."