In 2026 we will be carrying out essential maintenance works on Lendal Bridge.
The repairs will ensure the bridge’s long-term load carrying capacity is protected, meaning there's less likelihood of emergency repairs at short notice. They will also reduce the risk of more costly and disruptive future works.
- Nature of maintenance works
- Minimising disruption during the works
- Timeline for maintenance works
- Further improvement works
Nature of maintenance works
These structural repairs are needed to protect the bridge, so it can continue to be used for decades to come.
The proposed works consist of:
- urgent structural repairs
- re-waterproofing the structure
- resurfacing the road and footpaths, to ensure a smoother journey for everyone
Minimising disruption during the works
The initial works will require a full road closure to vehicles.
Pedestrians will continue to be able to cross the bridge, and access to businesses will be maintained throughout the works. Planning is underway to find a solution so that cyclists can also continue to cross the bridge during works.
We'll be contacting and working with residents and businesses in the immediate area to minimise disruption to them while these essential works take place.
We recognise that Lendal Bridge is a well-used route for many journeys in the city, so we'll be carrying out a citywide campaign to explain the traffic management plan and diversions to help people plan ahead.
We'll add details of the agreed traffic management plan and diversions to this page at the appropriate time.
Timeline for maintenance works
Works on the road will start in April 2026, after the Easter Holidays.
This is designed to co-ordinate the project with other major works taking place in this part of the city in the first half of 2026, to try and minimise disruption as much as possible.
The initial works are expected to last around 8 weeks.
Further improvement works
To avoid future return visits - and to maximise the benefits of these works - we're also exploring additional funding to deliver a wider package of improvements once the road is back open to vehicles.
This will include:
- full repainting of all metalwork, including decorative features
- further work to protect the bridge in the long-term
These works will require scaffolding, but pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists will be able to cross the bridge as usual during this phase.
We expect these further improvements could take an additional 34 weeks, once the maintenance works are complete.
We'll update this page should the funding be agreed.