PLANNERS are being asked to approve proposals for a new landmark footbridge to replace the Jumble Lane level crossing in Barnsley town centre.
The crossing is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the country and is to close within months, and now plans for the bridge have been submitted by the council.
Network Rail is to close the crossing next spring and a temporary footbridge is proposed to maintain access until a permanent version is complete which is expected to be by the autumn of next year.
The scheme features a distinctive bridge structure, with a single cantilever towards one end and the walkway supported by a series of cables.
It is expected to cost £5m, with the council and Network Rail sharing the cost, and is expected to become a focal point on the town centre skyline, with plans to illuminate it with uplighters at night.
When the council announced its intention to build the bridge, it announced there would be airport-style moving walkways at each end to help users negotiate the sloping sections.
Although the current level crossing is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the country, no details of any accident record has been submitted with the application.
A traffic assessment for the whole town centre shows 12 accidents at the Kendray Street/Pontefract Road junction in the immediate vicinity over the last five years but all were on a slip road and attributed to driver error.
Documents submitted with the application state: “The crossing is frequented by users who travel between Barnsley town centre and attractions to the east, primarily Oakwell football stadium and the Barnsley Metrodome.
“On match days, the crossing is used by thousands of football fans who arrive to football games by national rail and local bus services.
“The existing signal box and crossing will be closed by Network Rail in March 2019, regardless of the outcome of this planning application.
“The proposed bridge will be completed in quarter four 2019. To ensure that access to and from the town centre is not impeded for users, a temporary footbridge will be installed.
“The bridge will remain in place from the closure of the level crossing to the opening of the new footbridge.
“The proposal is designed to create a new landmark in Barnsley town centre, taking advantage of a key location in the town centre and linking with significant wider investment at the Glassworks development and enhancements to the public realm at locations including Eldon Street, Midland Street, Cheapside, Peel Square and Queen Street.
“The proposed development includes areas of landscaping at both sides of the bridge, which have been designed to be in-keeping with proposed landscaping throughout the town centre.”
