Durham County Council has reaffirmed its intention to demolish a footbridge despite a community campaign previously halting the scheme. 

The controversial demolition of Leazes Footbridge in Durham City will go ahead later this month.

Leazes Footbridge was closed last year on health and safety grounds after a review found it was beyond economical repair. 

The local authority said a specialist consultant found the footbridge does not meet modern accessibility standards. 

However, local campaigners dispute that claim and say the bridge should be saved. 

Debbie Hills, who led a ‘Saves Leazes Footbridge’ petition gathered more than 700 signatures from residents. 

Debbie Hills has campaigned to save the footbridge for several monthsDebbie Hills has campaigned to save the footbridge for several months (Image: The Northern Echo)But initial hopes of the council reversing its decision after the delay last month were ruled out this week. 

A statement from the council read: “In August, we paused the demolition works after we received a request to review our response to a petition opposing the demolition. 

“We considered this in line with our Petition Scheme and are satisfied the response provided to the petition is appropriate.”

A new signalised pedestrian crossing has been built to replace the bridge and is now operating at the existing traffic lights on Gilesgate Roundabout - but has been labelled a safety risk by residents. 

Ms Hills said: “People have had near-misses already. Cars have not seen the red light and have sped through without seeing people on the crossing. 

“Drivers stop at the original set of traffic lights and when you sweep around the corner you are immediately confronted with another set of traffic lights, which you don’t see until the last minute. For people using the crossing, it can look like nobody is coming.”

Yet the council said the new crossing is the best solution. “Not only does this provide a safe and accessible route across the A690 for everyone, but it offers the best value for money for taxpayers.”

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Footpath and overnight road closures

• 24-hour footpath closures will be in place for one week from Monday 23 September on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge. Only one footpath will be closed at any one time and diversions will be via the opposite footway.

• The A690/Leazes Road will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles in both directions between Gilesgate Roundabout and Ravensworth Terrace overnight for five nights from Sunday 29 September. The closure will be in place from 7pm to 5am each night and diversions will be in place.

• Daytime footpath closures will also be in place from Sunday 29 September on both sides of the A690. Only one footpath will be closed at any given time with diversions via the opposite footpath.

• 24-hour footpath closures will be in place on both sides of the A690 near the footbridge for up to six weeks from Monday 7 October. Only one footpath will be closed at any one time and diversions via the opposite footpath.