A resident furious over a bridge demolition in Durham has petitioned the council to reconsider their decision to knock it down and replace it with pedestrian lights. 

On Wednesday (June 26), at a full meeting of Durham County Council, Debbie Hills told councillors that claims that Leazes footbridge cannot be repaired are "nonsense". 

The bridge, which spans the A690, in Gilesgate, on the outskirts of Durham city centre, was closed in July 2023 due to structural issues and earmarked for demolition.

The council  has disputed Debbie's allegations, labelling some comments "inaccurate and inappropriate", outlining that they made the decision to demolish Leazes Footbridge on health and safety grounds, and that subsequent decisions have "been made in the interest of public safety, accessibility and providing value for money".

Debbie told councillors: "It was shouted from the rooftops back in February that the bridge is condemned, it can't be repaired, that it's not safe to carry pedestrians. It has subsequently transpired this is nonsense. 

The Northern Echo: Protestors have appealed to Durham County Council to change their mind about the Leazes Bridge

"This can avoid a large amount of public money being wasted because decisions have been made too fast and perhaps, without pressure from councillors, people are too obstinate to reconsider their position." 

Durham County Council maintain that its decision was the right one based on both safety and cost-effectiveness, and as it was a decision made on health and safety grounds, it was not an issue for consultation. 

Debbie alleged that "this could yet be a moment of institutionalised deafness", and told councillors that structural engineers had found "an unfortunate error" in the report compiled by council consultants.

She said the wrong strength of steel was used in calculations, meaning "repairs are estimated circa £2m, to include re-strengthening.

"The alternative proposed by other structural engineers is that surface concrete repairs and resealing of bearings are required, at a fraction of this cost."

On advice from consultants, the council has calculated that replacing the concrete slabs, which are integral to the bridge's structural soundness, could cost £2.1m. 

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We have received the petition relating to the demolition of Leazes Footbridge and will consider it and respond. 

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"We welcome petitions and care about the views of the communities we serve. However, during the meeting, inaccurate and inappropriate comments were made.

"The decision to close Leazes Footbridge was made on health and safety grounds; it was not an issue for consultation.

"All subsequent decisions relating to its closure and demolition have been made in the interest of public safety, accessibility and providing value for money, and were based on expert engineering and financial advice.”