TWO funiculars - moving platforms which carry people up slopes - are to feature on the new £5m footbridge which will dominate the town centre skyline in as little as a year’s time.
Designs have been drawn up for Market Gate Bridge which will see the complete closure and removal of the Jumble Lane level crossing.
The initial aim was for it to be step-free at both ends. However, the space available doesn’t allow that so it will have steps, as well as a funicular at either end which will carry people with pushchairs, wheelchairs or difficulty walking up at the similar angle to the steps.
The bridge will take people from the new Market Gate car park over the railway line at roughly the point where the level crossing stands today, to the pedestrian area in front of the Transport Interchange’s main entrance.
This will be on the edge of the new Market Square which will be created following the opening of the Glass Work and the refurbished indoor market, and the removal of the temporary market ‘shed’.
The £5m bridge is being funded 50/50 by Barnsley Council and Network Rail, which wants to get rid of the level crossing on safety grounds.
Leader of the council Sir Steve Houghton said the bridge would be a striking and attractive addition to the town centre, but health and safety was the primary concern.
“The main reason we’re doing this, and that Network Rail is funding it, is because it is the 17th most dangerous level crossing in the UK,” he said.
“Network Rail are very anxious to close it, and we are anxious to close it on health and safety grounds, but we’ve got to keep people coming into town from the Market Gate car park and elsewhere.
“What this gives us is an ideal solution, but we want it to be an iconic feature of the town centre.”
One option would have been to let Network Rail build its own bridge, but that would have meant a ‘functional, bog standard’ design which would not have been in keeping with the aims of improving the town centre.
“It’s going to be a real gateway to Barnsley, so we wanted it to be a more artistic design,” said Sir Steve.
“The two main stanchions which support it have been inspired by Barnsley’s coat of arms, and they represent the miner and the glass blower.
“It’s going to include uplighting, so it will be an attractive feature of the town centre skyline both day and night.”
The preliminary designs are due to be approved by the council’s ruling cabinet in the next couple of weeks, after which architects will draw up detailed architectural plans, surveys, and it is hoped work will begin later this year.
The funding of £2.5m approved by Network Rail is on the condition that it is built by spring 2019.
A new access route for the servicing of The Glass Works and the markets will also be created off Lambra road. This removes the requirement for vehicles to cross Jumble Lane to service the Metropolitan Centre.
A council spokesman added: “The project presents the opportunity to create a new gateway feature to attract people both into the town centre but also to encourage greater connectivity between the town and the Metrodome, Oakwell and the Dearne Valley Park.
“Creating a sense of place is critical to the project; it is proposed to incorporate a seating terrace at the Interchange end of the site to encourage dwell time, with the area around the bridge incorporating market stalls and potentially a cycle hub to help animate the space.
“The name Market Gate Bridge has been chosen as it reflects the naming of the new car park on the former CEAG site and helps with orientation into the town centre. It also reinforces the area as a gateway into the town centre and reflects the market town heritage of Barnsley.”
Public consultation will be held before the final designs are approved.
