A popular West Leeds pub is set to close for about a month while flood defence works are carried out along the River Aire.
Bosses at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn have confirmed that the pub will close from August 7 until early September to allow flood defences to be installed in the area.
The pub is known to flood regularly when the river Aire bursts its banks, and is welcoming the extra measures to keep them safe and dry. A post of social media says: “The rumours are true! Our beloved Bridge is shutting for a few weeks but don’t worry we’ll be back shortly with an even bigger and better beer garden!
“We will be shut from August 6 until early September due to some essential flood defence work on the river (it’s not fun flooding!).
“There will be a couple of changes to get ready for the closure so please bare with us as we run down our menu. Don’t panic there’s plenty of beer & pizza!
“Whilst we’re shut why not visit one of our other sites @thecardiganarms @kirkstalltaproom @thesparrowbd1 @station_hop_morley @blackhorseotley @theoldkingsarms.”
The full works in the area – including at Kirkstall Meadows and the railway line – are explained in this video:
The works are part of a £112m package of flood defences aimed at protecting the Kirkstall Valley and Leeds city centre following serious flooding along the River Aire caused by Storm Eva on Boxing Day 2015.
Work began in January 2020 and has involved building flood defence walls between Leeds city centre and along the Kirkstall Valley, with other work including the raising of footbridges, planting more trees upstream, and introducing a flood storage area near Calverley.
