Footbridge shut over 'significant safety concerns'

The council said the failures posed a serious risk to pedestrians

A well-used footbridge may need to be completely replaced after "significant" safety concerns were identified.

The Dockfield footbridge, in Baildon, has been closed since 12 June when structural engineers said several "critical elements" of the crossing had failed.

Bradford Council said the concerns related to high and medium pressure gas pipes attached along both sides of the bridge.

A spokesperson for the authority said it was in talks with Northern Gas Network, which jointly owns the bridge, about how to proceed.

The council said: "A structural assessment has revealed that several critical elements of the bridge have failed, posing a serious risk as the structure can no longer adequately support its weight.

"For the full replacement to proceed, NGN is required to contribute 50% of the total project costs."

One local councillor said the sudden closure had left people "very annoyed" and questioned why the issues were not picked up earlier, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Debbie Davies said: "The council say they want to encourage people to walk and cycle but then they close an important well used route with no notice and no explanation.

"It is a well-used right of way for workers and walkers and the alternative routes across the river are a long way away or people will end up driving to Shipley and round on Dockfield Road."

Davies claimed the authority had "known about this issue for years" giving them "plenty of time to formulate a plan so that when it closed work could start straight away and be completed as soon as possible".

"Instead of causing the minimum possible inconvenience it seems designed to cause the maximum," she said.

The council added: "We understand the disruption this decision may cause to bridge users and the local community, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.

"Please be assured that we are actively addressing this issue, and the safety of the public remains our top priority."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.