Refurbishment work at The Baileys, Durham

A historic street in Durham City is due to be partially closed to allow pavements and roads to be refurbished.

The Baileys is a historic area, the name derived due to it being the outer bailey of Durham Castle. It is a high use area, surrounded by university buildings and a popular path leading to Prebends Bridge and the riverbanks.

Work that will be completed

Work to the South Bailey began on Monday 21 August 2023 and included laying of natural stone footpaths and kerbs. The work was carried out as part of a broader refurbishment scheme in The Baileys which will continue through to 2025.

Footpaths in South Bailey Leading to Prebends Bridge

Footpaths in South Bailey Leading to Durham Cathedral

Durham Bailey Work outside St John’s College

Programme of work

These dates and durations are approximate and subject to change.

Anticipated programme	Dates
South Bailey footpaths	Completed
Two sections of cobbles - South Bailey cobbled parking area outside of Number 17 South Bailey and a section of cobbles opposite St John's College.	Completed
North Bailey footpath - between College Gate/The College entrance and Owengate.	September 2024 - March 2025
South Bailey Cobbled road reconstruction - between St Cuthbert's Society College and St John's College.	Monday 5 August 2024 to February 2025
Road resurfacing - Between St John's College and Owengate.	To be confirmed
South Bailey Gas Sewer Lamp - refurbishment	To be confirmed

Updates

September 2024

The cobbled carriageway is progressing well and is on target to be completed on programme. Works to the footways on North Bailey between Owengate and Dun Cow Lane will recommence this month. During this time a road closure will be operation between 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.00pm, with the road reopening outside of working hours.

July 2024

All South Bailey footpath work is now complete, along with two sections of cobbles including the parking area outside Number 17 South Bailey and a section opposite St John's College.

We are currently working on the footpath on North Bailey from the junction of Owengate, where we are replacing the existing Yorkstone footpath with new stone and setting aside all materials to be re-used on the footpath on the opposite side of the road. We are about to start on the reconstruction of the cobbled road on South Bailey and we anticipate that this work will take approximately 24 weeks to complete.

As part of our plans, we will also refurbish the South Bailey Gas Sewer Lamp. These lamps were originally invented by J E Webb in the 1890s to burn off dangerous sewer gas. They were designed to burn methane and other stagnant sewer gasses which regularly accumulated in urban Victorian sewers. We are currently working with suppliers to deliver this in line with the completion of the wider scheme.

April 2024

The footpath work on the South Bailey is now complete. Work is progressing on the cobbled parking area outside the university building.

Road closures

Road closures will be in place for the duration of the works. Pedestrians will be encouraged to use alternative routes during the works, pedestrian routes will be in place throughout the project.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes but the work is essential for the long term future of this route and to maintain the heritage characteristics of the area.