A RAILWAY footbridge near Beverley Friary could be removed following complaints about vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Youths using the footbridge over the Hull to Scarborough Railway line are being blamed for a trail of damage to residents' vehicles and property.

Problems have increased following the closure of the nearby Clariant chemical factory, which has become a target for the vandals.

There are fears the Youth Hostel Association, which occupies the 13th-century Beverley Friary, could pull out of the town if problems with anti-social behaviour persist.

The Beverley Local Action Team (LAT), which includes representatives from the police, council and local groups, has now met with residents and Network Rail to thrash out the issue.

LAT chairman Councillor Kerri Harold said: "The footbridge used to be a thoroughfare to the factory sites in the industrial years, but Beverley has changed.

"Since the Clariant chemical factory closed, the site has become a target for vandals who leave a trail of damage.

"Residents have had their vehicles damaged and windows broken."

The youth hostel at Beverley Friary is also understood to be concerned about anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Harold said: "The Youth Hostel Association has said if it gets any worse they will pull out.

"If that happened, the worry is the friary would end up as an empty building."

However, Cllr Harold is hopeful the issue can be resolved.

She said: "The residents we have spoken to are in favour of the bridge being removed altogether, but reservations have been expressed by Beverley Minster and the Ramblers' Association.

"If it's not suitable for the bridge to be removed, we would need to look at CCTV or policing for it."

Cllr Harold said further talks will take place, including an investigation of rights of way issues.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: "Obviously, we are keen to work with the local community.

"If the bridge was to be removed, the council would need to demonstrate the majority of local residents wanted that.

"We would also have to be sure we are not acting illegally in terms of public rights of way."

Frank Gray, who represented Beverley Minster at the meeting, said there has been a footbridge at the site since 1911.

Mr Gray, 67, has used the bridge throughout his life and said he would object to its removal.

He said: "I was representing Beverley Minster at the meeting and we see the bridge as an integral part of the routes from the Minster.

"It's also part of the Beverley Town Trail."

Mr Gray insists vandalism has only become a problem since the closure of the nearby Clariant factory.

But if the £120m redevelopment of the 16-acre former factory and museum site in Flemingate gets the go-ahead, he claims vandalism would no longer be an issue.

He said: "Once the site is redeveloped the vandalism will go."