MOTORISTS are facing a weekend of travel chaos as workmen demolish a bridge that will cost £450,000 to replace.

Highway chiefs today announced they would be closing the A59 Clitheroe by-pass for almost three days so work could begin ripping down the over-lying Elker Lane bridge, at Langho.

The bridge was closed to traffic in February when it was deemed unsafe after it was struck by an excavator being transported on another vehicle.

Inspections showed the structure was irreparable after extensive damage was revealed to the beams supporting the road.

Now demolition work costing £50,000 is expected to take place over the weekend of September 7, 8 and 9, with drivers being forced to follow diversions around the site, along Whalley Road, King Street, Accrington Road and Whalley Easterly by-pass.

Developers are now in the process of designing a new £400,000 structure that is expected to replace the current one early next year.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The bridge was struck by the excavator which was being carried on another vehicle and it damaged the beams that carry the road above the A59 and the bridge has been closed ever since.

"Inspections have shown it is beyond repair and it has been decided to pull it down and put a new one up instead.

"As a result the A59 will be closed completely while it is demolished and then a new bridge will be designed which will not be installed until the new year."