A city centre footbridge deemed unsafe for pedestrians has been demolished. 

Leazes Footbridge in the Gilesgate area of Durham City was dismantled last week. 

Footpath closures on the A690 will remain in place for six weeks.

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 led a ‘Save Leazes Footbridge’ petition and gathered more than 700 signatures from residents.

A new pedestrian crossing has been created near where the bridge stood, which the council says is the best solution. 

The new pedestrian crossing at the A690 in Gilesgate The new pedestrian crossing at the A690 in Gilesgate (Image: The Northern Echo)

However, Ms Hills warned it has already posed a danger to motorists and pedestrians. 

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. 

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John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for highways and rural communities, said: “We have considered all options carefully and believe that the demolition of the footbridge and creation of a crossing at existing traffic lights a short distance away 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.”

Remaining closures

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