Leazes Footbridge set to be demolished despite petition

By Avesta Afshari-Mehr

Leazes Footbridge’s demolition is set to resume for 5 nights commencing on 29th September, after a local petition to stop the demolition was unsuccessful.

The petition, which ran from 6th February 2024, argued keeping the bridge “encourag[es] walking into and out of the City, and to and from school; supporting older people, vulnerable people, and people with disabilities; improving air quality; and supporting independent businesses on Claypath, in Gilesgate, Belmont and Carville.”

Durham County Council, (DCC) halted their demolition procedure to form a detailed response to the petition in line with their Petition Scheme.

DCC rejected the petition as the closure of Leazes Footbridge was necessary on public safety grounds as well as not being Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and not financially viable to repair.

DCC built “a new signalised pedestrian crossing point and cycleway provision on Gilesgate roundabout as an alternative to Leazes footbridge.”

Bridge demolition works start on 29th September

Bridge demolition works start on 29th September, with preparatory works “including setting the site compound, making the site secure and erecting scaffold will be carried out from the 23rd to the 27th September. During this time there will be footpath closures on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge, although only one footpath will be closed at any one time.

The demolition project’s completion date has been declared to be within November 2024 by DCC, and is programmed to take eight weeks in total including one week for preparatory works, one week for demolition of the footbridge and six weeks for removal of steps and ramp, and reinstatement of highway boundary wall.

One member of the Faceook group “Save Leazes Footbridge, Durham City”, commented: “The crossing going down from Gilesgate bank is an accident waiting to happen. It’s so dangerous. The traffic has so much to look out for without peering around for yet more traffic lights and pedestrians. There’s a reason there was a bridge put there in the first place.”

Local residents have remained sceptical by the alternate crossing built. Another resident commented: “[It’s] stupidity putting a crossing there, there will be a fatality one day, that’s guaranteed.”

Some residents reacted more positively commenting: “The new crossing, particularly for wheelchairs, prams, and cyclists is a major improvement.”

Image: William Milne