A historic bridge in Durham City has been allocated significant funding to protect the crossing for years to come.
Baths Bridge, connecting Pelaw Leazes Lane and Elvet Waterside, has been allocated up to £6.2m in funding from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. An additional £1.3M of funding has been secured from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund to improve the links and connections either side of the bridge.
This funding would see Durham County Council replace the bridge, built in 1898, with a new structure, in keeping with the history and heritage of the city, while also enhancing its connection across the River Wear.
The design work for the new bridge is already underway and this will support a planning application in early 2026, which will look to safely remove the existing structure and install a new one.
During the process the council will consider key factors around the heritage of existing infrastructure in this area, as well as constraints when working in and around the River Wear that will factor into the timescales to carry out the work.
Subject to securing planning approval, the local authority is aiming for works to commence on site from late Summer 2026, with the new bridge in place by Spring 2027.
Meanwhile, it comes as residents can expect £16m in funding provided through NECA from the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), supporting bus services across the county.
The region’s BSIP aims to make buses a more affordable and practical alternative to using private cars. As a result, numerous improvement measures are being proposed as part of the plan, which include:
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- Improvements to timetables and fares
- Extensive priority measures on roads and at junctions to speed buses up
- A trial of additional park and ride sites around Durham City
- New and enhanced waiting facilities, including at Millburngate
- A set of affordable fare “caps” that work across all buses and Metro services
- Lower fares for many young people
- Simplified and improved information
Combined with cheaper travel campaigns, this new funding boost aims to dramatically transform bus services across the county.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “We are pleased to receive the funding from the North East Combined Authority for Baths Bridge, which will protect this vital, and historic, connection in Durham City for future generations.
“Meanwhile, the additional funding from the Bus Service Improvement Plan is a welcomed boost for the bus services and another big step towards delivering a reliable, affordable and practical public transport network for County Durham residents.”
