A York bridge 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 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 report, going before a transport executive decision session next Tuesday (21 October), says: “Lendal Bridge has a high level of corrosion evident in parts of the structure.”
It has “significant corrosion and deterioration, including life-expired surfacing and failed waterproofing”.
A major restoration, costing £1.9 million, would carry out the metalwork repairs, resurface the road and make the bridge waterproof again.
The work would “prevent the recurrence of the surfacing failures, rutting and potholing, which have become a regular problem in recent years”. Meanwhile, the decorative features would be “restored to full colour”.
No major work has been carried out on the bridge for 20 years.
“The works will extend the life of an iconic bridge in the centre of York,” the report says.
“It is anticipated that no further major maintenance will be needed in the next 30 years. The works will safeguard an essential part of York’s sustainable transport network.”
Closure timetable
Under the planned timetable, the project would go out to tender in December, with a view to the works taking place from April next year.
Then the contractor would would work 24 hours a day to complete the repairs within the eight weeks. This is considered the least disruptive way to carry out the programme.
“Not doing the work is not considered to be an option due to the risk to the safety of the public and cost to future generations,” the report states.
It adds: “City of York Council has engaged with several experienced contractors to obtain their advice on the most efficient way of conducting the work with due consideration to cost, timescales and disruption to highway users and nearby businesses.”
During the work, bus routes would have to be diverted and bus stops moved.
A City of York Council spokesperson said: “Pedestrians will continue to be able to cross the bridge and access to businesses will be maintained throughout the works and planning is underway to find a solution so that cyclists can also cross the bridge.
The council would need “a high level of timely communications to support residents, businesses, commuters, and visitors through these works”.
Councillors are also being asked to fund £1.3 million of additional improvements, including full repainting of all metalwork, and coating of the parapets and elevations.
These works would start after the eight-week closure has ended, and run for 38 more weeks.
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 reopened to cars.
