FEARS over how long a bridge spanning the University of York’s lake will remain safe have led to plans for a replacement being drawn up.

The Vanbrugh footbridge, which acts as the main link between the north and south sides of the Heslington West campus, is now about 45 years old and inspections have revealed it is suffering from a string of problems.

The university is now checking the structure every three months and says it will be inevitably be deemed unsafe and forced to close. It has submitted a planning application to City of York Council for a new bridge to be built after the existing one is removed. A statement by Aedas, the architects for the scheme, said the crossing, one of several across the campus lake, provided “essential links” for pedestrians, cyclists and golf buggies used by university staff, but concrete fatigue meant its condition was continuing to deteriorate.

“There is currently no anticipated lifespan for the existing structure as it is impossible to predict when it will become unsafe,” said the report.

But the firm said an inspection of the bridge carried out by engineers Arup last November “concludes the university should urgently consider the replacement and/or permanent demolition of the structure.”

Arup found a number of “significant defects” and said some of the bridge’s handrails had “severe corrosion”, although pedestrians were protected by scaffolding which was fitted around the structure in 2006 which also carries a fibre optic connection.

The plans for a replacement include a wooden seat along its length, which Aedas said would offer “excellent views of the lake”.

The firm said the university would have to wait until tenders for the bridge’s construction were received before deciding whether the budget would allow a canopy to be included.

The council is expected to make a decision on the scheme next month.