A LANDMARK footbridge used by thousands of students at York University since the mid-1960s is to be removed this weekend.
The footbridge from Langwith College to Alcuin College across University Road has been closed since January.
University Road will be closed from this morning (Good Friday) until Monday afternoon to allow the work to be carried out. Diversions will
be in operation.
The university took the decision to remove the bridge in the light of an inspection report from external engineering consultants about the structure's useful life.
The university's director of facilities management, Keith Lilley, said: "The bridge, and access to it, is not compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. Rebuilding it would have been technically difficult as well as prohibitively expensive.
"The two other bridges across University Road have good disabled access and have both been extensively refurbished in recent years. We also have new steps from the bus stop on University Road to the Library."
The approach to the bridge at Langwith, with its distinctive flowering cherry trees, will have new landscaping work to improve the area.
Demolishing the bridge will involve the use of large special cranes and other heavy equipment on University Road.
Mr Lilley added: "We apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure of the road will involve."
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