Otley Bridge: 24.3-mile and 44 minute diversion in place as work on new Leeds footbridge gets underway
A key bridge in Leeds is set to shut for three nights.
Otley Bridge, which carries traffic over the River Wharfe, will be closed over two nights between May 27-29, from 8pm to 5am to enable the installation of concrete barriers and white lining works.
The third night of disruption (May 29) is a contingency closure subject to the weather. The work comes as part of plans to replace the bridge’s main footway after it fell into disrepair.
A new temporary bridge, installed after the controversial felling of an 150-180-year-old oak tree, is set to open to the public on Tuesday (May 27).
Coun Jonathan Pryor said: “From Tuesday we’re able to open the temporary footbridge and I am delighted to see good progress is being made. This continues to be a complex and challenging project, so achieving this milestone to maintain pedestrian access across the river, marks significant success so far.
“This vital work will always involve some disruption and we will continue our best efforts to minimise any of this as much as possible. However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience so far whilst we do this urgent work.
“We will also continue to keep residents regularly updated as the works progress and work closely with our contractor, with an expected completion of the new Otley footbridge in the autumn.”
A signed 24.3-mile and 44 minute road diversion route, which takes into into account HGV traffic, will be in place for the duration of the closure - other shorter routes may be available depending on the vehicle type. Pedestrians will be able to use the new temporary footbridge.
From next Friday (May 30), two-way traffic lights will be in place at Otley Bridge for two weeks, between 8pm to 5am each night.
This will allow for the installation of the catenary system which will hold telecoms cables in place during main footway works. While some disturbance and inconvenience are inevitable, Leeds City Council has pledged to do its best to minimise disruption.