ADVICE has been issued to ensure minimal disruption as work is poised to start on a busy city centre river crossing.

The essential project, involving major renovations of Milburngate Bridge, carrying the A690 east/west over the River Wear, in Durham, begins on Sunday July 12.

It will continue through the school summer holidays, when peak-hour traffic using the route usually falls by about 20-per cent.

But, road users have been warned delays and congestion will be unavoidable.

Work will normally take place daily, between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, but hours can be prolonged, if needed, to reduce the overall duration.

One lane will remain open at all times and a footpath will also be provided.

The project will be delivered in three stages, starting on the south lane and footpath, moving to the north lane and footpath, followed by the two centre lanes.

Stage dates will be publicised as the scheme progresses.

Claypath slip road will remain closed throughout the scheme, while Walkergate slip road will only reopen following stage one, by late July, with diversions in place.

The footpath underneath the bridge, between The Gates shopping centre and the Passport Office, will be closed for part of the project.

Further updates will be provided nearer the time.

Access to Pimlico from Quarryheads Lane will be closed to traffic during the entire scheme, to prevent it being used as a rat run.

Local traffic can access Pimlico via Grove Street, but parking bays will remain open.

Milburngate Bridge will completely close for at least five nights, normally between 8pm and 6am, with dates and alternative routes publicised nearer the time.

The first overnight closure will take place on July 12.

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “We’re doing our best to minimise disruption as much as we can, working from first thing in the morning to last thing at night, as well as overnight on some occasions.”

But he urged people to only make essential journeys, to consider alternative travel arrangements, such as park and ride, and avoid peak times by considering changing working patterns, allowing extra time for journeys and planning deliveries out of peak times.

Almost 50-years-old, the bridge, which carries about 48,000 vehicles per day, remains safe, but it has been almost 20 years since its last major renovation.

The near £1m seven-week project, will involve installing new drainage and parapets, making concrete repairs, replacing the waterproofing system and resurfacing.

Up-dates, including live webcam streams, will be available via www.durham.gov.uk/milburngate, or #milburngate on the council’s Twitter and Facebook pages.