Work to improve the historic Newlay Bridge will mean it will close for only two days this summer.
As previously reported the bridge celebrates its 200th birthday next year and Leeds City Council is aiming to give the Grade ll* listed bridge a lick of waterproof paint on its underside to preserve it for the future.
It had been feared the popular footbridge over the River Aire would have to close for a week, but those fears have now been allayed by the council.
In a letter to residents, senior engineer Michael Metzler said the works are expected to start on 23rd July 2018 and will take approximately 12 weeks. He added:
“For the majority of the works pedestrian access will generally be maintained, however it will be reduced to approximately 1.2m width over one third of the bridge at a time. Cyclist access will also be maintained, but cyclists will be asked to dismount when passing through the restricted length.
“In order to waterproof the bridge it will need to be closed to all pedestrians and cyclists for
approximately two days.“As the footbridge is well used and the diversion route is long (via Victoria Gardens, A65, A6120, Rodley Lane, Leeds and Bradford Road and Pollard Lane) we have tried to minimise the closures impact by timing it to coincide with the school summer holidays.”
The council will announce the actual closure dates and a diversion route with notice boards on the bridge when a contractor has been appointed.
Work also includes waterproofing the bridge deck and repainting the underside of the bridge
in order to stop the ongoing corrosion and to preserve this historically important cast iron bridge.