Road closure warnings for bridge demolition

Leazes Footbridge in Durham was closed last year on health and safety grounds

Motorists have been warned of several road closures throughout August while a footbridge is demolished.

Leazes Footbridge was closed last year on health and safety grounds after multiple surveys determined it could no longer bear the weight of pedestrians and cyclists, Durham County Council said.

Further investigations by the local authority found the footbridge was beyond economic repair and did not meet modern accessibility standards.

But campaigners argued the council’s judgement was wrong and the bridge should be saved. A petition called Save Leazes Footbridge was signed by more than 700 people.

A signalised pedestrian crossing at the existing traffic lights on Gilesgate Roundabout will be created in its place.

However, concerns have also been raised about the safety of pedestrians crossing the busy city centre road, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"The new crossing will provide a safe and accessible route across the A690 for everyone and is just a short distance away from the footbridge," the council said.

The following footpath and overnight road closures will take place:

• 24-hour footpath closures will be in place for one week from Monday 5 August on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge. Only one footpath will be closed at a time and diversions will be via the opposite footpath

• The A690/Leazes Road will be closed in both directions between Gilesgate Roundabout and Ravensworth Terrace overnight for five nights from 11 August. The closure will be in place from 19:00 to 05:00 BST and diversions will be in place

• Daytime footpath closures will also be in place from 11 August on both sides of the A690

• The footpath on the southbound side of the A690 will be closed 24 hours a day for two weeks from 19 August, with diversions via the opposite footpath.

• 24-hour footpath closures will be in place on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge for two weeks from 2 September.