Leeds Bridge restrictions to begin for maintenance scheme
Traffic restrictions to allow maintenance works to be carried out on Leeds Bridge are to begin this weekend.
From Sunday 21 January, no traffic (with the exception of the Elland Road Park and Ride service running weekdays 7am to 7pm) will be able to travel northbound over the bridge into the city centre.
The project, managed by Leeds City Council, will include work to strengthen, clean and repaint the bridge which carries traffic on Bridge End over the River Aire by The Calls in the city centre. It is expected to take 16 months to complete.
A signed diversion will be set up via Great Wilson Street, Crown Point Road, Kirkgate and The Calls for all other city-bound motorists. While the work is carried out, there will be no disruption to southbound traffic. Two-way access will continue to be provided for cyclists, and access will be maintained throughout for pedestrians.
Completed in 1873, the grade II-listed Leeds Bridge is made of wrought and cast iron, and the work to be carried out will see old concrete above the original ironwork deck removed and replaced with new stronger steel-reinforced concrete.
The bridge is also famous for being the location in 1888 of what is considered some of the world’s first-ever recorded moving film footage, when Louis Le Prince filmed traffic travelling across it.
