This ancient route/gateway into the City directly connecting
Upper and Lower Gilesgate is of immense importance. The current
diversion at traffic lights across the A690 is dangerous and a
lengthy diversion, completely at odds with existing Council Duties
and Policies. These include:
Encouraging walking into and out of the City, and to and from
school
Supporting older people, vulnerable adults and
people with disabilities
Improving air quality
Supporting independent businesses on Claypath, in Gilesgate,
Belmont and Carrville.
Durham County Council has stated:
" We want to continue to add years to life by reducing avoidable
deaths; to add health to
life by reducing disability and disease; and to add life to years
by enhancing quality of
life and to see our communities thrive. " - so find a option and
save the Leazes Footbridge, Durham City.
This ePetition ran from 06/02/2024 to 14/06/2024 and has now finished.
766 people signed this ePetition.
In response to your petition requesting the Council explore in more detail the possibility of repairing or replacing Leazes Footbridge, I would advise we have worked with our consultants and reviewed their original report and findings. It is accepted the footbridge can be repaired and replaced BUT neither option is economically viable and therefore the difficult decision to demolish the footbridge has had to be taken on the grounds of public safety. The alternative arrangement to provide an additional signalised crossing facility for both pedestrians and cyclists has been designed and modelled by professional engineers and it provides a safe crossing facility which does not increase the length of travel for users any more than the provision of a new accessible compliant footbridge would, if this was a viable option.
Encouraging walking into and out of the City, and to and from school – An alternative connecting route is being constructed providing shared facilities for both pedestrians, of all abilities, and cyclists utilising a signalised crossing. The distance is comparable to the original route.
Supporting older people, vulnerable adults, and people with disabilities – Unlike the existing footbridge which does not comply with current accessibility standards the proposed signalised controlled crossing facility provides access for all.
Improving air quality – Durham County Council declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in the city in 2011 due to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant associated with vehicle emissions. The AQMA includes Leazes Road, Claypath, Gilesgate and the surrounding area. The Council continues to undertake regular monitoring of air quality emissions in this area and has developed an Air Quality Action Plan which sets out the measures it is taking to improve air quality in Durham City, reduce exposure to air pollutants and protect public health.
Supporting independent businesses on Claypath, in Gilesgate, Belmont and Carrville – There is an ongoing effort to attract specialist and independent retailers that fit with the needs of the city and its users. The Council offers Targeted Business Improvement Grants to support businesses opening premises in the city, whilst contributing towards the overall environmental quality of the city centre and improving the commercial vitality and viability. A new Start-Up grant is also available to new retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across the County which offers a non-repayable grant to help and support businesses with eligible costs in their first 6 months of trading.
Through our Towns and Villages Programme we also offer Meanwhile Use Fund aimed at supporting new business formation and growth, through shared retail space and or temporary retail offerings of existing town centre properties. In addition to this, the Council also offers a Property Reuse Loan scheme. This funding has been put in place to reflect the need to diversify the uses within our centres and recognises the significant costs of repurposing / subdividing some of our larger floorplate units, the additional costs incurred in moving from retail to commercial food use or the costs of separating upper floor space for alternative secondary uses to assist property owners and tenants. Through the retail hub resource, a package of free / bespoke training is also available to businesses.
In addition to the above we continue to invest in improving the
public realm streetscape to ensure it remains and attractive and
welcoming environment for residents and visitors to our historic
City centre. Recent improvements include the redevelopment of North
Road bus station, The Baileys. New Elvet etc.