News Beat
Lendal Bridge in York to close for 2 months for repair works
The Press reported back in October, that Lendal Bridge would close under plans drawn up for repair works worth £1.9 million to address significant corrosion and deterioration.
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City fo York Council’s plans would see the bridge, which spans the River Ouse between Station Road and Museum Street, fully close to vehicle traffic for eight weeks from April.
Extra non-essential works worth £1.3 million could begin at the same time and last for almost nine months but they would only require the closure of a single footway.
Councillor Kate Ravilious, executive member for transport, said: “Lendal Bridge is a very well used route at the heart of our city centre and is in need of essential repairs. Getting Lendal Bridge fixed will safeguard this important link for decades to come.
“In order to repair the bridge we’ll need to close the road to vehicles for a period of eight weeks, starting in April 2026 following the Easter holidays.
“We are mindful that closing Lendal Bridge to vehicle traffic will impact many people’s journeys. The area is also home to a number of businesses. We are carrying out extensive planning and officers will be in touch directly with nearby businesses and residents to minimise disruption. This will include detailed work with businesses and a survey to understand their delivery patterns so that we, alongside the contractor, can facilitate these throughout the works and also that people will continue to be able access their business.
“We will also be learning from other major roadworks that have recently taken place in the city centre too, such as the recent road closures around the station, to ensure that the city keeps moving while these essential repairs take place and be making clear that York is open for business while these essential repair works take place.”
Additional works are expected to take 38 weeks, beginning at the same time as the essential repairs and then continuing after they are finished.
The bridge’s road and one of its footways would reopen once the eight-week essential works are complete.
Council officials are currently drawing up the details of the works which would be put out to tender in December, subject to Cllr Ravilious’ decision next week.
It is expected that a contract would be awarded in February, ahead of the works starting in April.
The council’s report stated the closures would take movements of the National Railway Museum’s land train, events, access to York’s walls, emergency services vehicle crossings and bus diversions into account.
Traffic diversion routes will also have to be planned and have yet to be published.
