Otley Bridge September works update

We 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.

Vital work like this always involves disruption and our best efforts are being done to minimise any as much as possible. However, we know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and we would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we have carried out this urgent work.

New evening sessions ay Otley Community Hub

We received feedback that people would like to access the team during the evening. Tonight we will hold the first of two evening sessions from 6 to 7pm, on Wednesday 25 September and Wednesday 2 October. This is in addition to the sessions held on Tuesday and Friday. Please see the webpage for more details.

Tree work

The work in order to install the temporary footbridge means a large mature oak tree will need to be removed next year, before the bird nesting season. There is a detailed plan with the planned tree work on our website, in the frequently asked questions section. It highlights the work which will be carried out this September. Two semi mature oak trees in Tittybottle Park were carefully taken out and transported to a nursery where they will be nurtured until they can be re-planted once the works are complete.

Temporary bridge piling works

After an initial delay for the piling work, we hopefully will complete the work to drive the piles into the riverbed this week.

An ecologist is on site during this work to ensure the bats were not disturbed and so far they haven’t seen any bat activity.

Traffic management and road closure

The crane is to be escorted out by the police at the end of the piling works. Abnormal load movements are carried out by a specialist police team and need to be booked in advance. The road is planned to reopen around the beginning of next week.

Once all the equipment and materials are removed from the site, we will restore the park and open it to the public. A temporary wooden fence, of similar height as the hedge, will be erected where the hedge was removed. The fence will remain in place until the main works next year. We will not plant any trees this year; this will be done next year after the main works.

If you have any questions and can't find the answers on the website, please contact us.

Thanks again for your patience during these works.

The Connecting Leeds team