Funding has been allocated to restore Baths Bridge in Durham by creating a new structure across the River Wear. The bridge connecting Pelaw Leazes Lane to Elvet Waterside is used daily by pedestrians and is a key feature in rowing competitions, including Durham Regatta during which the commentary box was fixed above the bridge, until recent years when safety concerns caused it to be relocated. Barriers have been in place on the bridge for over 5 years.
The funding amounts to £7.5m which includes £6.2m from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and £1.3m from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund to improve links and connections either side of the bridge.
There has been a crossing over the river at this point since 1855, the present bridge being the third incarnation, constructed in 1962.
Design work for the new bridge is already underway and will support a planning application in early 2026, which will look to safely remove the existing structure and instal a new one.
During the process Durham County Council will consider key factors around the heritage of existing infrastructure in the area, as well as constraints when working in and around the River Wear that will factor into the timescales to carry out the work.
Subject to securing planning approval it is anticipated that work will commence on site from late Summer 2026, with the new bridge in place by Spring 2027.
