The bridge was constructed between 1830 and 1834

A giant crane is set to move into place ahead of the reconstruction of an historic railway bridge in Leeds.

Austhorpe Lane railway bridge in Cross Gates, which was initially constructed between 1830 and 1834, has been demolished and will now be rebuilt as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s programme of improvements.

Aimed at delivering more frequent, faster, greener trains on a better, more reliable railway, the historic bridge must be reconstructed as it is was too low to accommodate the overhead electric line equipment needed to electrify the line between York, Leeds and Manchester.

Network Rail has confirmed that demolition of Austhorpe Lane railway bridge was completed as planned last weekend (June 6-7). | Gerard Binks

placeholder image — Network Rail has confirmed that demolition of Austhorpe Lane railway bridge was completed as planned last weekend (June 6-7). | Gerard Binks

Now, the Yorkshire Evening Post understands that a giant crane is scheduled to move into position from this weekend ahead of installation of the new bridge.

A TRU spokesperson said: “The crane is currently due to arrive on site in the evening of Saturday August 15, but this could shift.

“It will initially be used to unload the bridge beams and other major components, before being used to lift them into position over the railway over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 22/23 August.”

Designed by James Walker & Alfred Burges, who also designed the lighthouses in Whitby, the historic structure was demolished over the weekend of June 6 and 7, with work taking place since to prepare the site for installation of the new structure.

Austhorpe Lane will be the third railway bridge in Leeds to be rebuilt as part of the TRU upgrades, following Cross Gates’s Station Road bridge last year and ongoing works to rebuild the A656 Ridge Road Bridge, between Garforth and Micklefield.

The route is expected to remain closed to all vehicles and pedestrians until January 2027, with work understood to be progressing on schedule.

Full project timeline - these dates may be subject to change

April to May 2026: Closure of Austhorpe Lane over the railway for demolition preparation. This will include the removal of the road surface, the diversion of utility services, the removal of bridge parapents and infill material.
June 2026: Demolition of Austhorpe Lane road bridge and footbridge. The gas main will also be lifted using a crane at ground level. There will be impact on adjacent properties during the crane works due to space required, and during demolition due to size of plant needed and spoil generated.
June to August 2026: Installation preparation. Workers will be excavating into the slope for piling platforms, then piling and pouring concrete to enable the creation of the new bridge abutment platforms. Some additional traffic management will be in place to ensure safe access for adjacent residents.

August 2026: Installation of new bridge. A large crane will be set up on the south of the bridge. Steel and pre-cast concrete units will be delivered from the compound to the site. There will be impact on access to adjacent properties during the crane works due to space required for the crane and the steel and concrete sections being installed.
August 2026 to January 2027: Structure works and highway build. Engineers will pour the remaining concrete elements, install waterproofing, back-fill the new bridge deck ends and complete masonry work to the bridge parapets in line with our heritage agreements.
Final steps: TRU engineers will then construct the new road alignment, install drainage, kerbs and safety barriers, then install the new road surface, white lining and road signage. Changes to both the road alignment and level may temporarily impact access to adjacent properties.