Reopening of the Lendal Bridge path delayed again – this time over trip hazard fears

The reopening of Lendal Arch has been hit by yet more delays.

The riverside route under Lendal Bridge, popular with pedestrians, cyclists and rowers accessing York Rowing Club, was supposed to reopen on Friday, October 22.

It was closed at the beginning of May so that floodgates under Lendal Bridge could be upgraded and was originally supposed to reopen in July.

Now, concerns that part of the new layout could present a trip hazard have delayed it further.

According to an Environment Agency update sent to councillor Pete Kilbane, council highways inspectors are concerned about the sill – a metal bar that runs across the road which is level with the floodgates when they are closed, providing a seal for the floodgate.

The email said: “They are concerned that the gradient and the height of the sill makes it a trip hazard. Subsequently, the City of York Council highways inspector revisited the site yesterday and has informed us that a road safety audit is to be carried out.” 

Once the report has been received by the Environment Agency, discussions will get underway about “potential solutions”.

“Unforeseen circumstances” were blamed when the route did not reopen in October.