A parish council is seeking ‘urgent reassurances’ about the condition of a local bridge following approval of a massive housing development.

But Halton Council has fired back, stating that the bridge is safe and accusing the parish council of rejecting schemes which 'communities need'.

Following a deadlocked meeting in January, Halton planning chiefs narrowly approved a scheme by Harworth Group to build 500 homes, primary school, elderly accommodation and local centre in Halebank.

Objections were raised at the time by Halebank Parish Council and some of Halton's development management committee members about the ability of Ditton Bridge to cope with more traffic.

Now the parish council has again raised concerns, claiming its requests for evidence that the bridge is sound have not been provided. Halton Council claims the bridge's condition if fine.

Cllr John Anderton, Parish Council Deputy Chairman, said: “We are deeply concerned about the capacity and condition of Ditton Bridge. The parish council has been requesting information and authoritative evidence for the last 18 months whilst the council and Network Rail have been playing ping-pong, each referring us to the other, but neither is able to provide a satisfactory answer."

The parish council said National Highways guidance sets out stringent requirements for the inspection of road bridges over railway lines, with general inspections carried every two years and a principle inspection every six years. But it claims  neither Halton Council or Network Rail have confirmed when a principle inspection was last carried out

Cllr Terry Colquitt, Chair of Halebank Parish Council, added: "For most people in Halebank and Hale Village the bridge is a lifeline. It’s how you get to work, get to the shops or get to the motorways or river crossings if you are travelling further afield. It’s scary to think that neither the council nor Network Rail have any survey evidence about its structural condition."

The parish council has a long history of butting heads with Halton on planning issues and has been successful in all three judicial reviews it has undertaken against the authority.

On the latest issue, a Halton Council spokeswoman said reassurances had already been provided by experts.

She said: "The parish council have already had assurance from structural engineers at both organisations that the bridge is safe. Having gone through a detailed and independent planning process resulting in Halton’s Local Plan, the parish council continue to reject the new developments that communities need."

Network Rail did not respond to request for comment.

At January's meeting, planning committee member Cllr Chris Carlin said the application should be deferred pending an inspection of the bridge, saying he could not otherwise vote for it ‘in good conscience’. But planning and highways officers told members it was a Network Rail bridge and they had raised no objection with regards to health and safety.

When the vote was called, four committee members voted in favour and four against – resulting in deadlock. Protocol then required the stand-in chair of the committee to cast a deciding vote, and she voted in favour of the application.