After detecting defects in July 2023, Leeds City Council has decided to replace the Otley footbridge.
Following public reports, the council conducted an urgent investigation to assess the need for repairs. Specialist contractors examined the underside of the existing footway and discovered additional hidden defects. The findings revealed that the problems were more extensive than initially thought, leading the council to opt for constructing a new footway. To minimize disruption, the council plans to set up a temporary footbridge. This will ensure residents maintain easy access across the river during the construction of the new footbridge. The temporary bridge will be located just east of Otley Bridge and will provide a connection to Tittybottle Park.
Otley Bridge, a Scheduled Ancient Monument nearly 800 years old, spans the River Wharfe with seven stone arches, connecting the two halves of Otley town via the B6451. In the 1950s, as vehicular traffic increased, a cantilevered concrete pedestrian walkway was added to enhance safety. This walkway is now deteriorating, with temporary deck boards covering holes in the footway, and a rolling program of inspections is in place pending its replacement.
Specialist contractor Balfour Beatty was hired to explore solutions for replacing the bridge and managing traffic during the construction. Initial plans considered diverting pedestrians into the roadway and reducing vehicle traffic to a single lane with temporary lights. However, it was determined that such restrictions would cause significant disruptions in Otley town center. Consequently, a further plan was devised to maintain the existing traffic flow by creating a separate temporary pedestrian crossing.
Should the council fail to resolve the issues with the footbridge, continued deterioration will render current mitigation efforts insufficient, potentially necessitating the complete closure of the walkway for safety reasons. This could lead to significant inconveniences, such as lengthy pedestrian detours or the need for disruptive traffic management solutions like temporary traffic lights on the road bridge.
The initial work on the project is limited by the site’s constraints, including its location along a residential street and specific geographical challenges. This phase will involve clearing trees and vegetation on the river’s southern side to establish a temporary workspace and launch site for the initial piling works. A crane will also be positioned here to install the bridge sections. On the northern side, in the park, minor preparations are needed to set up a temporary bridge abutment and reroute utility services. Post-construction, the council plans to plant several semi-mature trees to compensate for any that cannot be directly replaced.
The council plans to communicate directly with residents living close to the work site to clarify the details of the project and to provide regular updates throughout the duration of the construction. Both residents and businesses will have opportunities to meet with the project team for further discussions at the Otley Community Hub located on Nelson Street. These sessions will begin in September and will be held on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 am and Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm. Provided the weather cooperates, the project is expected to be completed by autumn 2025.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development said:
“Otley Bridge is an ancient crossing in the centre of the town. For pedestrian safety we now urgently need to demolish and replace the footway to modern standards, after coming to the end of its useful life. The new temporary footbridge will allow these works to Otley footbridge to be carried out safely, with less disruption to vehicle flow across the town and which will continue to enable people to cross the river safely.
“The council considered a range of options which needed to factor for disruption, cost and timing of the works limited by planning, ecology and by the Environment Agency. By starting the construction of the temporary bridge now, means that the process of replacing the existing footbridge can start in spring next year. Unfortunately, there will be the need for some short-term disruption for access and noise, as we prepare the site for construction, especially to allow crane access to the site.
“Vital work like this always involves disruption and best efforts are being done to minimise any as much as possible. However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we do this urgent work. The urgency requires some short-term inconvenience to construct the temporary bridge to continue to allow this vital crossing in the town.
“We will keep residents regularly updated as the works progress and have set up a website www.otleybridge.commonplace.is with information about the project, along with plans and timescales. The council will work closely with our contractor to make good progress over the months ahead, working towards an expected completion of the temporary bridge in spring 2025 and access to the new Otley footbridge in late summer 2025.”
