The next step in creating a cyclist-friendly bridge over Manchester Road in Bradford will see part of the route closed over the weekend.

Steel columns are being installed to form the support for the bridge, which is expected to be lifted in next month.

Manchester Road will be closed between the St Stephen’s Road junction and the Ripley Street junction in both directions, including the guided bus route, from 4am on Saturday, March 31, to 4am on Monday, April 2.

Motorists are advised to avoid Manchester Road altogether and follow the diversions on the ring road unless access is required to businesses and homes.

One diversion will take traffic down Bowling Old Lane and St Stephen’s Road, where buses will also be diverted.

The Manchester Road bridge scheme is part of a nationwide project by the Sustrans charity to provide new routes for walking and cycling.

The charity was awarded £50 million by the Big Lottery Fund to provide new routes for everyday walking and cycling across the country.

The Manchester Road scheme, near Newby Primary School, is part of that project, with the new bridge designed to connect communities and provide links to the city centre and university.

The Council’s senior engineer, James Williams, said the steel columns would be craned in, followed by the main part of the bridge next month, which would also necessitate the road being closed again.

He said steps, paving and landscaping would then need to be completed before the bridge was opened to the public.

An official opening is being organised for later in the summer.

The new bridge will be made of more than 350 tonnes of steel and will be 210 metres long in total, with two main spans over Manchester Road of 22 metres and 24 metres.

It replaces a footbridge that was demolished in October.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk