York’s Queen Street Bridge is closed and the first major work on the Station Gateway scheme is underway.
The bridge was shut as planned last night at 8pm. Diversions are in place.
Drivers appeared to have heeded calls to leave their car at home as the traffic on Blossom Street and Nunnery Lane was no heavier than usual on a Saturday morning.
The Lowther Terrace cycle and footpath was reopened at 8pm last night following its controversial closure. There were people waiting on both sides to use it.
At the station, the race is on to complete the temporary road which will bypass the bridge as works continue over the next few months.
That is being laid down across the station car park, which is also closed this weekend.
It is due to open at 6am on Monday.
Next weekend the area will be closed off again as the bridge is demolished. Then work to create the Station Gateway scheme, aimed at transforming the entrance to York Station, will begin.
It is due to be completed in November.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of City of York Council and its transport lead, said this morning: “So far so good.
“The teams have made great progress overnight widening the pinch points and building the bridge bypass road.
“We thank taxi drivers for their cooperation and residents for choosing congestion-busting ways to travel, including the shuttle bus to the station from Blossom Street.
“We urge everyone to keep on doing whatever you can to keep York moving during these disruptive works. York remains open for business.”
Pictures – The station area
The Blossom Street side
Queen Street
