Busy bridge to be closed on three successive nights as roadworks continue

Milburngate Bridge, which carried the busy A690 over the River Wear in Durham, is to be closed overnight while the next stage of work takes place.

The bridge will be closed from 7pm on Saturday (Aug 22) until 7am on Sunday, then again from 6pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday and finally from 7pm on Monday until 6.30am on Tuesday.

Pedestrians will not be able to cross the bridge during the closures on Sunday and Monday, when diversion routes will be in place.

During the closures on Sunday and Monday, Market Place and Silver Street will also be closed to traffic to allow emergency service vehicles access to the city centre while the bridge is shut.

Last month, Durham County Council began a major restoration of the bridge, which is almost 50 years old and carries about 48,000 vehicles every day.

The project is now in the third and final stage, which involves working on the central lanes.

During the closure of the Market Place and Silver Street, residents and businesses will still be able to get access, but restrictions will be in force.

There will be a manned closure at the entrance to Market Place – any vehicles delivering there will have to park without causing an obstruction. Council staff will be on hand to advise drivers.

The authority says a clear route will have to be maintained in Market Place and it will not be possible to park in Silver Street. Any vehicles obstructing access will be towed away.

Pedestrians and cyclists will not be affected however, and there will be access to Sadler Street, Owengate and Palace Green at all times.

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, said: “We apologise for any disruption arising as a result of these necessary closures and would urge people to keep up-to-date by checking the live traffic cameras online and by following #milburngate on Twitter.”

Further overnight closures of Milburngate Bridge may be required, depending on weather conditions.