Otley Bridge replacement footway opens following major upgrade

The Otley Bridge footway has reopened to the public after an extensive demolition and re-construction.

Transcript

00:00If you're an Otley resident, or if you've travelled through Otley over the past few months,

00:05you'll know about the extensive works to replace the footpath on Otley Bridge, which have now been completed.

00:11To enable works to be undertaken safely with minimal disruption,

00:15lane and road closures were planned at less busy times, avoiding the need for full weekend closures of the bridge.

00:22In July 2023, Leeds City Council received public reports of defects on the bridge

00:30concluded that for safety reasons it needed to be completely replaced.

00:34Work started at the site in March this year to build a temporary footway which opened in May,

00:39while the existing footway was demolished and replaced.

00:43The final phase of the works will see the removal of the temporary footway and reinstatement of both Riverside Parks.

00:50The footway is 79 metres in length and its robust build is expected to see it last for at least 120 years.

00:57The works have been described as a major feat of engineering which required significant planning,

01:03with careful scheduling and consideration to avoid environmental harm.

01:07The felling of this 180-year-old oak tree and a tulip tree next to Otley Bridge to enable the works

01:13was initially postponed by protesters, but did eventually go ahead.

01:17To conclude the project, Tittybottle Park and a section of Wharf Meadows Park, north of the river,

01:22will be restored, having been affected by the works.

01:25Thirteen replacement trees will be planted, and two mature oak trees,

01:30which were temporarily stored in a tree nursery, will be replanted.

01:34The temporary footbridge is expected to be removed before Christmas,

01:37and the reinstatement of the parks and garnets field is expected to be restored for public use early next year.

01:42The temporary footwork is expected to be restored.

01:47The winds of the river