A bridge on the inner ring-road in York is set to shut for eight weeks, causing significant disruption to drivers and bus passengers.
Lendal Bridge needs “urgent structural metalwork repairs” and council officers are recommending it closes to vehicles for two months in April 2026 to carry out the work.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge. City of York Council also hopes that cyclists could still get access.
If the work wasn’t done, weight restrictions might need to be imposed on the bridge – “causing considerable impact on movement in the city centre,” a report says.
The issue went before a transport executive meeting this morning (Tuesday 21 October) where councillors heard: “Lendal Bridge has a high level of corrosion in parts of the structure.”
The project to repair was given the go-ahead and funds will be found if possible to re-paint the bridge at the same time.
Dave Atkinson, Director of Environmental and Regulatory services, told the meeting: “Lendal Bridge is a critical part of the York transport network, as well as being a very recognisable city asset and is Grade 2 listed.
“We’ve have investment of 1.9 million in the Highways capital programme to do the essential maintenance works. And we’ve been looking for a point in the schedule, where we can start and do those works.
“So in the report, we’re recommending to start work in April 2026, and it’ll be an eight week piece of work. But additionally, there’s some sort of, not just cosmetic, paint work, which will extend the life of the repairs.
“So there’s two two phases of work proposed. The first piece of work proposed being the essential maintenance at the second piece is around some paintwork on the bridge.
“The first piece of work will mean full closure of the bridge, that is the carriageways on the bridge, for eight weeks, but the footways will still be available for walkers and wheelers, and we’re working on a plan on how we would enable cycles moving across.
“The extended works will take around 38 weeks, but that’ll largely be off the carriageway and largely not impact footways.”
No major work has been carried out on the bridge for 20 years.
The last time Lendal Bridge was closed to private cars for an extended period of time was between April 2013 and February 2014.
This trial was designed to find out whether a permanent restriction would reduce congestion in York, improve the environment and improve the reliability of buses.
But the enforcement of the traffic ban was later ruled invalid, and the bridge was fully reopened.
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport, approved the scheme: “We’re now doing that responsible thing and getting the bridge repaired so it can continue to serve York’s transport needs in the decades to come.
“And to not do it would risk expensive, emergency works at a time not of our choosing, so it’s really important.
“It’s going to be disruptive. It will be an eight week full closure for vehicles, and we’ll obviously try for cycle access too.
“We’ve set aside the funding in this year’s Highway budget to do the repairs, and we’re looking at reprofiling some other funding in order to do the repainting, to maximise those benefits and the longevity of the repair the works.”
