Bridge work to start after years of safety fears
LDRSWork to replace a city centre bridge, which has been beset by safety fears for several years, is due to start.
Barriers have been in place on Baths Bridge in Durham since the local council identified deck and abutment failures.
The crossing connects Pelaw Leazes Lane and Elvet Waterside and was the site of Durham Regatta's commentary box until about six years ago.
Durham County Council, which received £7.5m from the North East Strategic Authority and the Consolidated Active Travel Fund for the scheme, said preparatory works would start before the end of the year.
Head of highways services Mark Readman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We are currently planning to undertake ground investigation works for the Baths Bridge replacement project, including assessing the condition of the existing bridge's supporting structures.
"This will inform the final design of the new structure and we anticipate being onsite and beginning works later this year."
There has been a bridge on the site since the 1800s, with the original replaced in 1898 and the current crossing going up in the 1960s.
Land at Elvet Green will be used for construction access throughout the replacement.
However, volunteers have criticised the council's request for a local community group to leave the area after turning the neglected space into a community park.
The Reform-led council said the site was required for the bridge rebuild.
