A footbridge in Newcastle city centre could remain closed for up to five years as major redevelopment projects transform the area. The walkway over Durant Road has been shut due to construction work linked to Northumbria University’s redevelopment of MEA House.
Newcastle City Council said the bridge must remain closed because the staircase providing access from the northern side, near the popular Ellison Place car park, now falls within the construction site.
A closure order issued by the authority states that restrictions could remain in place for as long as five years, although the timescale may change depending on the progress of the works.
The bridge forms part of a wider network of elevated walkways connecting to Hadrian House and the New Bridge Street Hotel site, both of which are also earmarked for significant redevelopment.
A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said: “Access to the footbridge over Durant Road is currently unavailable due to development works taking place at MEA House. The stairs leading to the bridge are now located within the construction site.
“In order to prevent unauthorised access to the construction site, and to ensure public safety, we are therefore temporarily closing the footbridge at both ends for the duration of the works. During this time pedestrians will need to use alternative routes and nearby pedestrian crossings.”
MEA House was acquired by Northumbria University in 2023 as part of plans to expand and modernise the southern section of its city centre campus. The closure comes amid a wider wave of regeneration proposals in the area. Earlier this year, plans were unveiled for a £60 million student accommodation scheme on the Hadrian House site.
Developers want to demolish the existing office block and surrounding walkways, which have been described as a “dilapidated” and “unsafe” legacy of Newcastle’s post-war redevelopment era, and replace them with a 21-storey residential complex.
Meanwhile, Gainford Group has proposed a 29-storey residential tower alongside a new hotel on the New Bridge Street Hotel site.
The council has advised pedestrians to use alternative routes and nearby crossings while the bridge remains closed.
