Otley footbridge works - important update

The essential repairs to the pedestrian footway will either require Otley Bridge to be reduced to single lane traffic to facilitate pedestrian crossing, or the installation of a temporary footbridge which will necessitate the felling of two nearby trees.

However, the council recognises the strength of feeling and associated action from some community groups against the temporary footbridge option. As a result, officers have this week taken the decision to pause the felling of the trees.

No further action will be taken by the council or its contractors in regard to the oak tree or the other trees before Monday 6 January 2025 at the earliest.

Further information will be circulated to local communities and key stakeholders in the coming week, providing more details about the urgently required replacement works to the pedestrian footbridge and the timeline for carrying out these works. The repairs to the footway will not be delayed.

To ensure public safety during the annual swimming event which takes place in the River Wharfe on New Year’s Day, the pedestrian footway will be closed for the duration of the event and until 3 January 2025 to allow for further in-depth inspections of the footbridge to take place.  Mill Lane up to Manor Street will also be closed.

During this closure the traffic on Otley Bridge will be reduced to a single lane with temporary traffic lights to facilitate pedestrian crossing. Road users are asked to plan ahead as the lane closure is expected to cause disruption and will add to journey times.

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Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“We recognise the strength of feeling from certain local community groups against the felling of the trees. Consequently, we have taken the decision to pause the felling of the trees.

“However, public safety has to be our main priority, and the essential replacement work to the footbridge will not be delayed regardless of the outcome for the trees.

“We would also like to thank residents for their patience and understanding during the temporary closure of the footway for the New Year’s Day annual swim event.”

At this time it remains the council’s position that the preferred approach is to provide a temporary footbridge, necessitating the removal of the trees. This is because of the significant impact that installing of 3-way temporary traffic lights (including a pedestrian crossing) on the bridge over such an extended period of time will have in the town. This includes lengthy vehicle queues, air pollution, pedestrian safety, general congestion in the town centre and potential negative impact on local businesses.

Proceeding with the installation of a temporary footbridge would mean it would be necessary to remove the trees before the bird nesting season. The trees will be replaced by a minimum of 13 semi mature trees across Otley, including in Tittybottle park, subject to community consultation.

Works to install the temporary footbridge will commence in March for around 12 weeks, with the temporary bridge expected to be open in spring 2025.

Removal of the existing footbridge would begin in spring 2025, with work lasting around 20 weeks.

The new permanent footbridge would be expected to be open in autumn 2025.

All dates are dependent on weather and river conditions, and subject to the condition of the Otley Bridge once the existing footbridge has been removed.

More information about the Otley Bridge project can be found at: Have Your Say Today - Otley Bridge - Commonplace