Leazes footbridge

The demolition of Leazes footbridge in Durham City is now complete, with associated works programmed to be complete by spring 2025.

Programme of works	Date
Design of alternative pedestrian route	Complete
Tender for demolition	Complete
Pedestrian crossing works	Complete
Pedestrian crossing traffic signals commissioned	Complete
Wall and cycle widening works	Complete
Anti-skid works	Complete
Pedestrian signalised crossing operational	Complete
Bridge demolition preparatory works including footpath closures	Complete
Bridge demolition works (Central and Claypath) including overnight road closures	Complete
Bridge demolition works (Curved ramp -University) including overnight road closures	Complete
Bridge demolition works (College of St Hild and St Bede ramp and steps) including footpath closures	Complete
Removal of the ramp & steps on the southern footpath is underway	Complete
Planning permission for boundary wall works	Complete
Rebuilding of boundary wall (University side)	January 2025
Project completion	February 2025
Landscaping including tree planting, cutting and wildflower seeding	Spring 2025

Northern span of the bridge being removed

Updates

December 2024

The reconstruction of the boundary wall has been re-programmed to commence in January 2025. We received planning permission in mid-November, but starting the project at that time would have conflicted with the Christmas embargo on works in Durham City, which is in place between 2 December and 3 January.

October 2024

Bridge demolition works and the removal of the ramp and steps are now complete. Rebuilding of the boundary wall is due to start in early November, following approval of planning permission. Work is running smoothly, and the completion is on target for December 2024. Minor landscaping works will take place in the new year and will include tree planting, cutting and wildflower seeding to preserve and enhance the local habitat.

September 2024

The demolition of the footbridge will commence on the evening of Sunday 29 September and will take approximately five nights to complete. The works will be carried out under a full road closure which will be in place from 7.00pm until 5.00am each evening.

Preparatory works, including setting up the site compound, making the site secure and erecting scaffold will be carried out from Monday 23 September through to Friday 27 September, during this time there will be a footpath closure and also a slow lane closure in place.

Following the removal of the footbridge works will commence on the demolition of the ramps and stairs, week commencing the 7 October and these works are anticipated to take six weeks to complete.

August 2024

Work to demolish Leazes Footbridge in Durham City is to resume. Earlier this month we paused the works after we received a request to review our response to the petition opposing the demolition. We have now considered this in line with our Petition Scheme and are satisfied the response provided to the petition is appropriate. We will provide further updates shortly about when the demolition and associated road and footpath closures will take place.

August 2024

Work to demolish Leazes Footbridge in Durham City has been paused after we received a request to review our response to the petition opposing the demolition. Road and footpath closures due to take place this month and in September have also been put on hold while we further assess the position. The request to review the petition will be considered in accordance with our Petition Scheme.

July 2024

The signalised crossing and cycleway provision works are progressing well and are on programme to be completed in August. The preparatory works for the demolition of the footbridge are programmed to begin early August, with the main demolition works to follow. Once the bridge deck spans are removed the demolition of the steps and ramp will begin and also reinstatement of the highway boundary wall, the overall project duration is anticipated to be eight weeks. The landscape element of the project is currently under development and the timing of these works will be shared in due course.

June 2024

Works are progressing well on the pedestrian crossing point approaching Gilesgate roundabout. Shortly we will be moving onto replacing the pedestrian guardrail on both sides on the existing footpaths. We will then move onto installation of a cycleway link.

May 2024

Work to create a pedestrian crossing and cycleway on Gilesgate roundabout are due to begin in May. It is expected that this work will take around 10 weeks to complete. We are currently talking to a contractor about knocking down the footbridge.

A signed diversion for pedestrians and cyclists will be in place while this work is being done. We strongly recommend that pedestrians do not cross the A690/Leazes Road at any location other than the signed diversion.

March 2024

Expert analysis of Leazes Footbridge has concluded it can no longer bear the weight of pedestrians and is beyond economical repair. The footbridge was built in 1974 and the construction methods used do not comply with modern standards. It is also inaccessible to wheelchair users and does not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

We are introducing a pedestrian crossing at the existing traffic lights at the top of Leazes Road which will provide a safe route across the A690 for everyone and, unlike a footbridge, would not impact on the historic view of the World Heritage Site.

We now have a design and estimate for these works and are awaiting confirmation of a start date.

February 2024

The footbridge, which crosses the A690 and provides pedestrian access from Claypath to the city centre and riverside, has been closed to the public following a routine inspection, which identified a need for more detailed investigation.

Further surveys by a specialist contractor have subsequently revealed concerns regarding the joints to the underside of the bridge. As a result, the bridge will remain closed while we consider the results of the investigations and look at all available options for the future of the footbridge. After several surveys by a specialist contractor, it has been confirmed that integral components are failing and the structure is no longer safe to bear the weight of pedestrians.

The nature of the problems mean they cannot be repaired, and while there is no immediate risk of the footbridge collapsing, this could change if the footbridge remains in position, exposed to the elements. As a result, we have agreed that the footbridge will be demolished before summer 2024. The demolition will take approximately four weeks, with the central span removed overnight under a full road closure.

Diversions

Phase	Start date	Duration	Road/footpath closures
Bridge demolition - preparatory work	23 September	One week	24-hour footpath closures will be in place for one week from Monday 23 September on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge. Only one footpath will be closed at any one time and diversions will be via the opposite footway.
Bridge demolition - all spans	29 September	Five nights (from 7.00pm to 5.00am)	The A690/Leazes Road will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles in both directions between Gilesgate Roundabout and Ravensworth Terrace overnight for five nights from Sunday 29 September. The closure will be in place from 7pm to 5am each night and diversions will be in place. Daytime footpath closures will also be in place from Sunday 29 September on both sides of the A690. Only one footpath will be closed at any given time with diversions via the opposite footpath.
Bridge demolition - all spans	29 September		Daytime footpath closure in vicinity of footbridge varying between north and south side of A690 as work progresses will remain in operation. Only one footpath will be closed at any given time with diversion via opposite footpath on A690.
Bridge demolition -ramp and steps	7 October	Six weeks	24-hour footpath closures will be in place on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge for up to six weeks from Monday 7 October. Only one footpath will be closed at any one time and diversions via the opposite footpath.

Key facts

Below are some key facts outlining why demolition of the bridge is necessary:

The closure of Leazes Footbridge was necessary on public safety grounds.
The footbridge was found to be structurally impaired and not safe for use by pedestrians or cyclists.
The footbridge is not in danger of collapse because the "live loading" caused by pedestrians and cyclists has been removed.
Our consultants have confirmed that two elements of the concrete deck have failed and are weakening the structural integrity of the footbridge.
The existing footbridge is not DDA compliant.
The option to repair or replace the footbridge is not financially viable.
There will be a new signalised pedestrian crossing point and cycleway provision on Gilesgate roundabout as an alternative to Leazes footbridge.
The demolition works will require both footpath and overnight carriageway closures.
Footpath closures will operate for eight weeks.
Carriageway closures will operate for five overnight closures.
The works are programmed to take eight weeks in total including one week for preparatory works, one week for demolition of the footbridge and six weeks for removal of steps and ramp, and reinstatement of highway boundary wall.
During the demolition works the site will be fully secured.