A new bridge over the River Gaunless will link Oakley Green and St Helen Auckland, improving access for walkers and cyclists.
The project costs £7 million. Durham County Council uses the Levelling Up Fund to restore an old route that people walked and cycled on long ago as part of a railway.
Historic England supports the project, seeing it as a good way to respect history while involving young people. Landscaping tweaks will help prevent problems.
The area is a historic railway site. The new bridge will restore a key route for walkers and cyclists. The first Gaunless Bridge was built in 1823 and was replaced in 1901.
Old stone supports still exist. The area floods sometimes, so drainage will use existing waterways. Habitat will improve by over 10%, and watercourse units will improve even more.
The bridge deck will use recycled materials, making it more eco-friendly. Slopes will connect to existing pathways, and designers limited impact on the historical site. They consulted Historic England.
The council listened to conservation experts. A public meeting happened in July 2024, and people gave positive feedback.