A NEW footbridge over the ‘dangerous’ Jumble Lane railway crossing in Barnsley town centre is set to be approved by planning board members tomorrow.
It was initially thought the bridge would cost £5m, with Network Rail contributing £2m towards that cost, but council papers show the cost has gone up to £5.6m an increase of 12 per cent.
The new footbridge is due to be discussed by councillors on the planning board on Tuesday, where it is expected to be given the green light after years of being regarded as a necessary expense.
Network Rail has also expressed concerns about the crossing being dangerous and a ‘high risk’ with numerous incidents being reported of cars running red lights and pedestrians jumping the barriers. One particular time of concern, Network Rail say, is when Barnsley Football Club play at nearby Oakwell as the crossing is used by scores of fans before and after the matches.
The report said: “The majority of Barnsley residents will be familiar that the existing level crossing is served by barriers that close when trains are approaching, causing an obstruction to all forms of traffic.
“The proposal is to construct a new footbridge which would see the closure of the existing level crossing, preventing it being used by all forms of traffic.
“The bridge would be constructed in the existing pedestrianised area, located to the south of Barnsley Interchange, which is proposed to have its surface materials reconfigured to match the new public realm areas being created by the Glassworks development.
“The bridge would cross over the railway line to a landing point on the southern side of Kendray Street on land forming part of the existing Market Gate car park.”
The steel bridge, which will be about 105 metres long, has a striking design which features two pylon-like structures standing at 36m tall.
Consideration given to keeping the crossing open but this was not recommended as it would have a detrimental impact on the town centre redevelopment plans.
Another alternative was to allow Network Rail to build a bridge but the council believes a ‘standard no-frills pedestrian bridge’ would not be in keeping with the vision for the town centre.
However, nearby Gala Bingo have lodged concerns with the council, saying the proposals would further sever its premises from the town centre and make it more difficult for its customers to access.
“The existing level crossing is considered obsolete,” the report added. “It is a potential danger to public safety and for this reason they intent to close the crossing, regardless of the outcome of this planning application, before March 2019. The site is also identified as an important gateway and a priority for public improvements. The proposals aims to deliver on the project’s brief of becoming a distinctive new landmark.”
