A RESTORATION plan for Lendal Bridge will be discussed by planning chiefs this week.

The project, expected to cost nearly £350,000, is to paint and waterproof the famous bridge, seen by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

It will be the first time the bridge, built in 1863, has been completely repainted in more than 20 years.

The work has to be done because of the onset of corrosion, which could result in the structure beginning to fall apart.

Ray Chaplin, City of York Council's head of engineering consultancy, said: "There is a strong possibility that continuing deterioration will occur, causing sections of metalwork to crack and fall from the bridge."

The proposed work is due to start on September 11 this year.

It will close the bridge to vehicles for six weeks, apart from buses, taxis, cycles and emergency vehicles, which will be subjected to traffic lights.

Diversions routes will be signed for all other road users and warning signs put up at outer ring road junctions, advising motorists to avoid the area.

When complete, the bridge will have light grey parapets and slightly darker grey arches.

The project will be studied by researchers from the University of York and Leeds University who are attempting to understand how traffic redistributes itself when major road works are in place.

But it has received an objection from the owner of York Boat, who is concerned that scaffolding will hide the mooring point for the boats at the company's busiest time of year.

Mr Chaplin said painting had to be done in the summer because it needed to be carried out in certain weather conditions .

He said: "To assist York Boat, we will minimise the amount and duration of scaffolding at parapet height to avoid obscuring the view of the Dame Judi Dench Landing from the bridge.

"We will assist with positioning additional signage for the business and provide information, if requested, for use on their trip commentaries."

City of York Council's executive member for planning, Coun Dave Merrett, will meet planning officers on Wednesday to discuss the plans.

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk