York Victorian bridge removed for station project

Queen Street Bridge in York is being demolished as part of the Station Gateway project

A Victorian bridge in York is being removed to improve the frontage to the city's railway station.

The Queen Street Bridge was built in 1877 to go over railway tracks which are no longer there.

The road will be moved further away from the city walls, improving areas for pedestrians, taxis and buses.

City of York Council said the £25m Station Gateway project will give visitors a better view of the medieval city walls.

Queen Street Bridge and the LNER car park outside the station closed on Friday night and will remain closed until 06:00 BST on Monday.

The same closures will be in place next weekend, and visitors are advised to use park and ride facilities or arrive by rail.

Queen Street Bridge was built to go over railway tracks which no longer exist

The bridge was built very close to the base of the city walls and hides a large section of the walls from view, the council said.

The diversion road will then be temporarily used by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles while the project continues.

People in York have told the BBC the work would be an "inconvenience" but others have accepted it is necessary to improve the area.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of City of York Council, has previously advised people to plan their journeys ahead in order to "keep disruption to a minimum".

"To minimise congestion, it is more important than ever for visitors to arrive by train or park and ride and for residents, if possible, to leave the car at home," he added.

The engineering work will improve the access to the city's railway station, the council said