Footbridge reopens after controversial repairs

The footbridge reopened to the public on Thursday

Repairs to the footway of a 13th-Century bridge which triggered protests from environmental campaigners have been completed.

Otley Bridge, which spans the River Wharfe and links the two halves of the town, saw demonstrations in January after Leeds City Council said it needed to fell an oak tree to make way for a temporary crossing.

Scuffles broke out prior to the tree being cut down, with critics claiming the council's decision was at odds with its biodiversity commitments.

The new footway, which the council said was expected to last 120 years, reopened to the public on Thursday.

Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said the completion "marks the successful conclusion of a complex and challenging effort to restore a vital link for the community".

Pryor thanked the workers who carried out the project, who he said had "worked in some really challenging conditions".

Protesters set up camp next to the tree, thwarting efforts to cut it down

The work to the footbridge, built in the 1950s as an add-on to the bridge, were carried out due to "safety reasons", a council spokesperson said.

They confirmed Tittybottle Park and a section of Wharfemeadows Park north of the river would be "restored" and back in public use by "early next year", having been affected by the works.

The plans include planting 13 replacement trees and replanting two mature oak trees which were temporarily stored in a "tree nursery".

The temporary footbridge would be removed before Christmas, the spokesperson said.

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