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In July 2023, after public reports of defects in the Otley Bridge walkway, Leeds City Council urgently investigated whether further repairs were necessary. After the specialist contractors inspected the underside of the current footway it found further hidden defects, concluding that these problems were more widespread and it took the decision to replace the footway.The council plan to install a temporary footbridge to allow residents with easy access to both sides of the river, whilst construction of a new footbridge takes place on the main bridge. This temporary bridge will be found a short distance to the east of Otley Bridge and link to Tittybottle Park.The council will write to residents who live nearest the work site to further explain the works, and provide regular progress updates over the duration of the scheme.&nbsp;Residents and businesses will also be able to speak to the project team at the Otley Community Hub on &nbsp;Nelson Street, starting in September on the following day/times: Tuesday 10 &ndash; 11am and Friday 1pm &ndash; 3pm.Subject to the weather, the scheme is anticipated to be completed during autumn 2025.Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council&rsquo;s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:&ldquo;Otley Bridge is an ancient crossing in the centre of the town. For pedestrian safety we now urgently need to demolish and replace the footway to modern standards, after coming to the end of its useful life. The new temporary footbridge will allow these works to Otley footbridge to be carried out safely, with less disruption to vehicle flow across the town and which will continue to enable people to cross the river safely.&ldquo;The council considered a range of options which needed to factor for disruption, cost and timing of the works limited by planning, ecology and by the Environment Agency. By starting the construction of the temporary bridge now, means that the process of replacing the existing footbridge can start in spring next year. Unfortunately, there will be the need for some short-term disruption for access and noise, as we prepare the site for construction, especially to allow crane access to the site.&ldquo;Vital work like this always involves disruption and best efforts are being done to minimise any as much as possible. However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we do this urgent work. The urgency requires some short-term inconvenience to construct the temporary bridge to continue to allow this vital crossing in the town.&ldquo;We will keep residents regularly updated as the works progress and have set up <a href="https://otleybridge.commonplace.is/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this website</a> with information about the project, along with plans and timescales. The council will work closely with our contractor to make good progress over the months ahead, working towards an expected completion of the temporary bridge in spring 2025 and access to the new Otley footbridge in late summer 2025.&rdquo;

New footbridge to be built in Otley after public safety concerns raised over pedestrian crossing

To ensure public safety and modernise the infrastructure, Leeds City Council will demolish the old footway and construct a new footbridge.  Stay informed about the latest developments and progress.

Replacement of Otley footbridge

Otley Bridge

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Find dates, times and location where you can talk to us in person.

Meet our team

Attend one of the following drop-in events to view our proposals, speak to a member of the team and discuss the plans:&nbsp;Where:&nbsp; Otley community hub and library, Nelson Street, LS21 1EZ &nbsp;<ul type="disc"><li>Tuesday 3rd September,10am- 11am</li><li>Friday 6th September,&nbsp;1pm - 3pm</li><li>Tuesday 10th September,&nbsp;10am - 11 am</li><li>Friday 13th September,&nbsp;1pm - 3pm</li><li>Tuesday 17th September,&nbsp;10am - 11 am</li><li>Friday 20th September,&nbsp;1pm - 3pm</li><li>Tuesday 24h September, 10am - 11am</li><li>Friday 27th September, 1pm - 3pm</li></ul>Get in touch:You can contact us regarding this scheme at <a href="mailto:connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk">connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk</a> or call us on 0113 336 8868.&nbsp;

Read about the background to this scheme and why the work needs to be done

Scheme background

IntroductionOtley Bridge is located in the centre of Otley town and carries the two-lane single carriageway B6451, Bridge Street over the River Wharfe. A pedestrian crossing is provided by a supplementary cantilever walkway attached to the east side of the bridge. The bridge is the only remaining Medieval bridge crossing the River Wharfe and is believed to have been built in 1228 with repair, widening and lengthening in 1775 by John Carr. The cantilever walkway was added in the mid 1950&#39;s and the design and implementation is of its time - limited design life, limited consideration of material durability and very limited consideration of future maintenance.The bridge is scheduled as an ancient monument and as such, it is protected by Historic England. In 1950 the walkway structure had been removed from the Schedule of Ancient Monuments and although the year of re listing is not known it is currently recorded as scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.The pedestrian route is widely used and provides access to nearby amenities including the primary school from the north side of the river. The nearest alternative crossing point for pedestrians is approximately 800m downstream in Wharfemeadows Park. The nearest alternative vehicle crossing points are Ilkley or Pool in Wharfedale.Walkway IssuesThe footway was installed in 1957 and a major refurbishment was carried out in 1984 when during the works additional permanent supports were installed rather than replace damaged planks, likely due the complexities of replacing them. The original planks which support the walkway are now nearly 70 years old. They do not meet modern standards for durability and when coupled with their condition can be considered as having exceeded their serviceable life. cantilevers, which act as the main supports of the walkway, have also deteriorated significantly over the years.It is very difficult to inspect and maintain the current cantilever footway, due in part to the layout of the bridge which puts limitations of the use of underbridge units and because of the ducts under the walkway deck which obscure visibility. Access from the River Wharfe is limited due to flooding and fast flowing water which can affect the use of boats or pontoons.In July 2023 a hole in the footway was reported by a member of the public and following a safety inspection, further holes in the were identified. As the open gaps were relatively discreet in location, plastic deck boards were able to be installed spanning over the deck planks and covering the holes. To ensure they remained in place and to identify any further holes, a rolling programme of inspections was put in place.If the council does not address the footbridge problems the deterioration will continue, with current mitigation finally becoming inadequate. This will eventually need a full closure of the walkway to pedestrians on safety grounds, and a lengthy pedestrian diversion or disruptive traffic lights facilitate pedestrians on the road bridge.

Images of damage to current footbridge

Find plans for current work in progress (example image of a temporary footbridge)

Example temporary footbridge

Scheme overview

Otley Bridge footbridge replacement scheme

Project overview: Enhancing Otley&rsquo;s historic bridge while maintaining essential accessWe are committed to preserving the vibrant nature of Otley by ensuring both pedestrian safety and smooth traffic flow during our essential improvements to the Otley Bridge footbridge.Because we understand that reliable transport links are essential to Otley&rsquo;s thriving market town, we&rsquo;ve chosen to install a temporary footbridge rather than opting for the usual traffic light system, which would have caused significant disruption to traffic and to the town.A historic landmark in need of careOtley Bridge, a nearly 800-year-old seven-span stone structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument, is a cornerstone of our town&rsquo;s heritage. The footbridge, added in the 1950s to accommodate increased traffic, has served us well but is now showing signs of significant wear and tear. After extensive inspections, it became clear that replacing the footbridge is the only viable option to maintain safety and preserve the integrity of this historic bridge.Preserving traffic flow for Otley&rsquo;s market townOtley is a bustling market town, and we understand the importance of keeping traffic moving smoothly. Rather than opting for the straightforward solution of temporary traffic lights and shared pedestrian-vehicle lanes, which would have caused significant disruption and safety concerns, we&rsquo;re taking a more thoughtful approach. By installing a temporary footbridge just east of Otley Bridge, we ensure that pedestrians can safely cross the River Wharfe without impacting essential traffic flow, allowing residents to easily access both sides of the river while we carry out the necessary footbridge replacement.&nbsp;Why this solution works for OtleySpecialist contractor Balfour Beatty explored all possible solutions, initially considering diverting pedestrians into the carriageway with single-lane traffic and temporary lights. However, the impact on traffic would have been too disruptive for Otley, a town that relies heavily on its transport links. The temporary footbridge allows us to maintain the current traffic layout, making it the most practical and least disruptive option for everyone.Project details: Committing to Otley&rsquo;s futureWithout intervention, the deterioration of the footbridge would worsen, eventually leading to a full closure and significant disruptions. To prevent this, we will clear some trees and vegetation on the southern side of the river to create a temporary working area. Rest assured that for every mature tree removed, we are committed to planting several semi-mature trees, ensuring that Otley remains as green and vibrant as ever.This project reflects our dedication to balancing the needs of Otley&rsquo;s community with the preservation of its historic landmarks. We&rsquo;re confident that this approach will keep Otley connected, safe, and thriving throughout the duration of the works.

Map showing temporary bridge, and Mill Lane diversion route

Visualisation used for planning pre-application

View frequently asked questions on the scheme

Frequently asked questions

This project is still in its development and design phase, and some project details are likely to change.In providing the FAQ below, the intention is to give residents and businesses an early insight in the project and answers to the most common questions. The information is likely to be updated as the scheme progresses.The council, working collaboratively with our contractor Balfour Beatty and other specialists, is committed to balancing the needs of environmental preservation, community impact and public safety.&nbsp;Diversions will be in place during various phases of the project. These will be communicated to residents via signage and our dedicated website once they have been finalised.Regrettably the project will cause some inconvenience and disturbance to residents and road users in Otley, for which we would like to apologise.