ROWERS have been told to avoid a stretch of the River Wear – in case bits of a historic bridge fall on them.

Officials have advised four clubs to stop rowing under Durham City’s 230-year-old Prebends Bridge, which is on English Heritage’s At Risk register.

The bridge is usually predominantly pedestrian but has been used by more vehicles recently following the temporary closure of Saddler Street, which is undergoing repair as part of Durham City Vision’s £5.5m Heart of the City regeneration scheme.

Contractors Carillion wrote to rowers telling them to stay away until work is finished in middle of next month.

Rowers from Durham University’s St Aidan’s and Castle colleges at St Leonard’s RC School stopped using the water last week.

Durham School continued, but has now reconsidered and also pulled out.

Martin George, headteacher at Durham School, said a misunderstanding led the school to believe it could continue rowing at its own risk.

He said: “We’re not into recklessly putting pupils’ safety at risk.

“It’s a shame because we have international rowers here and we’ll have to work out how they still get their rowing – but that’s our problem.

Pupil safety is paramount.”

Ruth Robson, head of marketing and events at Durham Cathedral, said: “We know it is a huge inconvenience to river users, but we appreciate their co-operation.

“We all look forward to the work on Saddler Street being completed.”

Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said the closure of Saddler Street and the temporary use of Prebends Bridge by traffic had been planned for some time, but when the council learnt there was a possibility stone work might fall, it had no choice but to close the bridge to river traffic.

“We appreciate the closure has caused concern to river users but we are continuing to work with all parties to reopen the river at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The three-arched stone Prebends Bridge, a scheduled ancient monument which opened in 1778, has suffered water erosion and needs repairs which could cost up to £1m. Durham Cathedral has secured £180,000 for preliminary investigations.