Inverclyde Council has taken the decision to re-open Chapelton Bridge in Glen Avenue, Port Glasgow, after it had to suspend work to widen the bridge because of a problem with getting major components for the new bridge deck.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said: "There has been a problem getting the pre-stressed, pre-cast concrete beams which will make up the bridge deck. These are specialist components which are custom made to an exacting specification. There are only three firms in the UK capable of making them. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has experienced a significant increase in orders since the council first put the work out to tender and this has pushed back the delivery date.

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"We decided to re-open the bridge in the meantime. As soon as the parts arrive we will start work again. Our contractor is hopeful that the project can still be finished on time."

The widening project is due to be completed by the end of May.

Work on the second phase of the £650,000 project started on Monday 11 February. Chapelton Bridge is the main pedestrian route for pupils going to and from St John's Primary and is also an important bus route. The project is being funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).