
Replacement of Otley Bridge footway completed
Leeds City Council opened a new replacement Otley Bridge footway on 20 November 2025. For safety reasons it has replaced the former 1950s cantilever footway. In early 2026 both parks either side of the River Wharfe were restored to their original state.
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About the project
find out what's happening

Frequently asked questions
View frequently asked questions on the scheme

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

Video visualisations
Watch a series of visualisations of the works

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

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

Environmental considerations
Read details of the extensive environmental research and planning that went into this project, and view external environmental reports.

Technical drawings
Latest detailed drawings and designs
Timeline
Principles and concepts
Installation and opening of temporary footbridge
Demolition of existing footway and reconstruction of new footway opening to the public.
Removal of temporary footbridge and restoration of both parks
News

New community-designed carved oak bench unveiled in Otley’s Tittybottle Park
Leeds City Council unveil a unique hand-carved oak bench, created from a tree previously located near Otley Bridge, in Tittybottle Park.The bench has been crafted by local artist Shane Green, a specia

Otley Bridge January update
We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we complete works to the parks.Here’s a brief update on the final phase of the project.Temporary traffic lightsNight-time la

Otley Bridge December update
We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we completed this major footway upgrade.Here’s a brief update on the final phase of the project.Temporary traffic lightsNigh

Otley Bridge replacement footway reopens following major upgrade
The Otley Bridge footway reopened to the public on Thursday (20 November) after an extensive demolition and re-construction of the cantilever footway.In July 2023, Leeds City Council received public r

Otley replacement footway update October
Welcome to the latest details about the final stages to complete the new footway.Thank you for your patience during the three weeks of Otley bridge road night-time closures.Your support and cooperatio

Otley replacement footway update September
Steelwork installation gets underway on Otley Bridge replacement footwayFrom 27 September the steelwork installation begins on the replacement footway at Otley Bridge. This is due take around two to t

Update Otley Bridge Footway Replacement night closures
Night closure Monday 22 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the adverse weather over the weekend and its impact on the river, the planned closure of the B6451 Otley Bridge

Otley Bridge Footway Replacement night closures
Night closure Wednesday 17 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the recent adverse weather and its impact on the river, we must cancel the night work scheduled for Wednesday

Otley Bridge Footway Replacement
Night closure Wednesday 17 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the recent adverse weather and its impact on the river, we must cancel the night work scheduled for Wednesday

August update - footway replacement
We are making significant progress to replace Otley Bridge’s cantilevered footway.All six cantilevers have been successfully hydro-demolished, which essentially involves using high pressure water jets

July update – Otley Bridge footway
Existing footway demolition worksWe continue to thank everyone in the community for adapting to the use of the temporary footbridge. Demolition work has safely taken place on the existing cantilevered

June update - Otley Bridge footway
Existing footway demolition worksAfter last month’s temporary footbridge opening to the public, we want to thank everyone in the community for adapting to this change. Demolition work can now safely t

Otley Bridge temporary footway opens
On Tuesday (27 May) the Otley temporary footbridge will be open to the public. This marks a major project milestone, as works can now start on the replacement of the main footway.The next phase of wor

May update - Otley Bridge Footway
Otley Bridge footway replacement:Night closures 27-29 May followed by lane closuresFrom 8pm to 5am 27 - 29 May, full night closures of Otley Bridge are in place to enable the installation of concrete

April update - Otley Bridge footway replacement
Temporary footbridge installation to startThe large 300 tonne crane has moved on to site in readiness to install initially a crossbeam, slide plates and a working platform on the piles in the river. T

Otley replacement footbridge works gets underway with new 4D animation video
Works to replace Otley's deteriorating pedestrian footway have begun in earnest.This week the council’s specialist contractor Balfour Beatty will set up the site and works compound, preparing for grou

Otley Bridge update - 28 January
Otley Bridge: Oak tree to be removed from this Friday (31 January)Leeds City Council is proposing to remove the two trees near to Otley Bridge from this Friday (31 January) so work can begin to replac

Otley Bridge - important footbridge update 15 January
Otley Bridge: temporary traffic lights allow council to do further safety inspections and monitor impact Leeds City Council is installing temporary traffic signals on Otley Bridge from this Thurs

Otley footbridge works - important update
Leeds City Council is prioritising pedestrian safety and is continuing to monitor the condition of Otley Bridge. The essential repairs to the pedestrian footway will either require Otley Bridge t

15 more questions and answers added to project website
Please see an update to the project website which includes answers to more questions, based on feedback from ward councillors.There are 45 frequently asked questions, with 15 more recently added which

Tree work - Otley Bridge footbridge replacement and installation of temporary footbridge
We are constructing a temporary footbridge in support of a replacement Otley footbridge.As part of these works, there’s a need to remove a mature oak tree and a smaller tulip tree in Tittybottle Park.

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 t

New footbridge to be built in Otley after public safety concerns raised over pedestrian crossing
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 t
Meet the team

Leeds City Council is responsible for running this consultation, analysing its results and presenting them to stakeholders and the public.
Timeline
Principles and concepts
Installation and opening of temporary footbridge
Demolition of existing footway and reconstruction of new footway opening to the public.
Removal of temporary footbridge and restoration of both parks
News

New community-designed carved oak bench unveiled in Otley’s Tittybottle Park
Leeds City Council unveil a unique hand-carved oak bench, created from a tree previously located near Otley Bridge, in Tittybottle Park.The bench has been crafted by local artist Shane Green, a specia

Otley Bridge January update
We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we complete works to the parks.Here’s a brief update on the final phase of the project.Temporary traffic lightsNight-time la

Otley Bridge December update
We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience whilst we completed this major footway upgrade.Here’s a brief update on the final phase of the project.Temporary traffic lightsNigh

Otley Bridge replacement footway reopens following major upgrade
The Otley Bridge footway reopened to the public on Thursday (20 November) after an extensive demolition and re-construction of the cantilever footway.In July 2023, Leeds City Council received public r

Otley replacement footway update October
Welcome to the latest details about the final stages to complete the new footway.Thank you for your patience during the three weeks of Otley bridge road night-time closures.Your support and cooperatio

Otley replacement footway update September
Steelwork installation gets underway on Otley Bridge replacement footwayFrom 27 September the steelwork installation begins on the replacement footway at Otley Bridge. This is due take around two to t

Update Otley Bridge Footway Replacement night closures
Night closure Monday 22 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the adverse weather over the weekend and its impact on the river, the planned closure of the B6451 Otley Bridge

Otley Bridge Footway Replacement night closures
Night closure Wednesday 17 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the recent adverse weather and its impact on the river, we must cancel the night work scheduled for Wednesday

Otley Bridge Footway Replacement
Night closure Wednesday 17 September (8pm – 5.30am) is now cancelled.Unfortunately, due to the recent adverse weather and its impact on the river, we must cancel the night work scheduled for Wednesday

August update - footway replacement
We are making significant progress to replace Otley Bridge’s cantilevered footway.All six cantilevers have been successfully hydro-demolished, which essentially involves using high pressure water jets

July update – Otley Bridge footway
Existing footway demolition worksWe continue to thank everyone in the community for adapting to the use of the temporary footbridge. Demolition work has safely taken place on the existing cantilevered

June update - Otley Bridge footway
Existing footway demolition worksAfter last month’s temporary footbridge opening to the public, we want to thank everyone in the community for adapting to this change. Demolition work can now safely t

Otley Bridge temporary footway opens
On Tuesday (27 May) the Otley temporary footbridge will be open to the public. This marks a major project milestone, as works can now start on the replacement of the main footway.The next phase of wor

May update - Otley Bridge Footway
Otley Bridge footway replacement:Night closures 27-29 May followed by lane closuresFrom 8pm to 5am 27 - 29 May, full night closures of Otley Bridge are in place to enable the installation of concrete

April update - Otley Bridge footway replacement
Temporary footbridge installation to startThe large 300 tonne crane has moved on to site in readiness to install initially a crossbeam, slide plates and a working platform on the piles in the river. T

Otley replacement footbridge works gets underway with new 4D animation video
Works to replace Otley's deteriorating pedestrian footway have begun in earnest.This week the council’s specialist contractor Balfour Beatty will set up the site and works compound, preparing for grou

Otley Bridge update - 28 January
Otley Bridge: Oak tree to be removed from this Friday (31 January)Leeds City Council is proposing to remove the two trees near to Otley Bridge from this Friday (31 January) so work can begin to replac

Otley Bridge - important footbridge update 15 January
Otley Bridge: temporary traffic lights allow council to do further safety inspections and monitor impact Leeds City Council is installing temporary traffic signals on Otley Bridge from this Thurs

Otley footbridge works - important update
Leeds City Council is prioritising pedestrian safety and is continuing to monitor the condition of Otley Bridge. The essential repairs to the pedestrian footway will either require Otley Bridge t

15 more questions and answers added to project website
Please see an update to the project website which includes answers to more questions, based on feedback from ward councillors.There are 45 frequently asked questions, with 15 more recently added which

Tree work - Otley Bridge footbridge replacement and installation of temporary footbridge
We are constructing a temporary footbridge in support of a replacement Otley footbridge.As part of these works, there’s a need to remove a mature oak tree and a smaller tulip tree in Tittybottle Park.

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 t

New footbridge to be built in Otley after public safety concerns raised over pedestrian crossing
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 t
Team
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Leeds City Council is responsible for running this consultation, analysing its results and presenting them to stakeholders and the public.
