Work has started on a pedestrian footbridge at the Whitebridge Lane level crossing.
The work starts as Network Rail announced that it had reached its target of closing 750 level crossings across the country by April 2014, with more closures – including the one at Whitebridge Lane – to come. More details HERE on Network Rail’s safety campaign.
Network Rail’s original planning application was for a footbridge with ramps but this was refused in July 2012 because it “would result in a direct adverse impact on the Grade II listed building on site known as Crossing Gate”. Some local people and councillors had also objected to the scale of the original footbridge.
Network Rail said at the time of its second planning application that closing the pedestrian crossing was a priority after four near misses at the site. It also said that a temporary speed restriction had been put in place at the site recently because of the near misses. It consulted with local people in 2011 and laid out a number of options, including a number of footbridges and a subway.
The planning application that was approved is for a footbridge only, with no ramp. It will be made of galvanized steelwork with an overall height of 8m and a span of 28m. In a design and access statement submitted with the new planning application, Network Rail said the new design would enable ramps to be attached to the structure in future if required. It also stated that new trees would be planted to provide additional screening to the east of the bridge.
Click HERE to see more details on the planning application.
These notices have been attached to the level crossing gates…
