An aging footbridge in Durham is to be removed next week.
Durham County Council has made the decision to remove the Quarry House Lane Footbridge, a steel pedestrian crossing over the A167 near Neville’s Cross.
Originally built in 1967, the footbridge has seen a significant decline in use due to people choosing to use the nearby traffic-lighted toucan crossing, which is 60 metres away.
Due to the age of the bridge, the council estimates that refurbishing the structure would cost £1.5 million.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “As a council, we have a statutory duty to maintain bridge structures to ensure they do not pose a danger to the public. In this case, the cost of ensuring the Quarry House Lane Footbridge remains in a safe condition outweighs the amount of use it now gets from the public. With a traffic light crossing just a few metres away, we’re finding that people are opting to use that crossing instead as it is more accessible.
“We do appreciate that some residents will be impacted during the removal works, and we have contacted them in advance to make them aware of arrangements. We aim to keep disruption to a minimum and would like to thank residents and motorists for their patience and understanding while we carry out the works.”
In order to carry out the works, the A167 between Neville’s Cross crossroads and the A691/Southfield Way roundabout will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am from Monday 27 October. The closure is expected to be in place for four nights.
A fully signed diversion route, which uses the A690 and A691, will be in place while the road is closed.
