UPDATED AUGUST 14: The council has announced revised closure dates. The bridge will be fully closed from 7.30am on Thursday 16 August until 7pm the following day. The work is weather-dependent as it needs dry weather, so it may need additional time if there is any rainfall during this time.
ORIGINAL POST:
Historic Newlay Bridge will be closed completely for repairs for two full days, on 15 and 16 August 2018.
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.
Work includes waterproofing the bridge deck and repainting the underside of the bridge in order to stop ongoing corrosion and to preserve the historically important cast-iron bridge.
A diversion will be in place via Victoria Gardens, A65, A6120, Rodley Lane, Leeds and Bradford Road and Pollard Lane.
Ongoing work started last month on the popular bridge, which is expected to last into October.
Council chiefs say they have scheduled the two days of complete closures to the less-busy summer holidays.
In a letter to residents, senior engineer Michael Metzler said:
“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.”
New fish passes at Newlay, Armley and Kirkstall
Newlay Bridge weir will get a new fish pass installed by the end of Summer 2020.
The fish pass will encourage salmonids (salmon and trout) to move up the River Aire to Gargrave.
In support of this, new fish passes will be installed at Armley, Kirkstall and Saltaire – adding to those already in place such as St Ann’s Mill, to the east of Morrisons at Kirkstall.
More about the scheme can be found here.