THE second phase of major city centre roadworks is about to get underway with the overnight closure of a busy city centre bridge.

A seven-week renovation of Milburngate Bridge in Durham, which carries an average of 48,000 vehicles a day over the River Wear, started on July 12.

Durham County Council says the first phase of work on the south lane and footpath has been completed and work will move to the north lane on Thursday (July 30).

The busy bridge will be completely closed to all traffic from 8pm on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday – with another four complete overnight closures to follow in the coming weeks, the dates of which have yet to be announced.

Diversion routes have been put in place and full details are available at www.durham.gov.uk/milburngatebridge.

The Walkergate slip road, off the south side of the bridge on the same side as The Gates shopping centre, will reopen on Thursday 30 July and the diversions will be removed.

Although there have been traffic delays during the first two weeks of the roadworks, particularly on the way into the city from the A1(M) motorway, disruption has so far not been as bad as some had feared.

John Reed, head of technical services, Durham County Council, said: “We are pleased with progress of the work so far and are currently on schedule.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank motorists for their patience and understanding during this essential project.

“Both the new roadside cameras and the use of social media have proved a huge help to drivers, public transport users and pedestrians in deciding how to travel in and around the city centre.

“We would continue to encourage people to keep helping us minimise disruption as much as possible by considering alternative travel arrangements such as park and ride, avoiding peak times, thinking about changing working patterns and delivery times and planning extra time for your journeys.”

The council says work will continue between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, but working hours may be extended, if needed, to reduce the time the project will take.

The third stage of work will be carried out on the two centre lanes during August while the Claypath slip road will be closed throughout the duration of the project.

The footpath underneath the bridge between The Gates and the Passport Office will be closed for part of the project, with the council promising further updates closer to the time.