Clad It’s Nearly Finished!

Artist’s Impression – The original idea

Work on Lincoln’s long-awaited level crossing bridge is nearing completion as contractors prepare to finish external cladding and glazing ahead of May’s planned opening.

Engineering design on the multi million pounds Network Rail scheme on High Street, has been led by HBPW Associate, Mark Partridge, who has been overseeing the project since on-site work began in early 2015. Once open it will ease congestion and waiting times for pedestrians.

Mark said: “Work officially started with the remodelling of a property at 179 High Street, former home to retail units occupied by Superdrug and The Sleep Shop, but now one side of the new steel structure. There was a two month delay after asbestos was discovered in one of the former shops, however, everything is now progressing well with a revised opening date just weeks away.”

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney and Network Rail Route Managing Director Phil Verster originally launched the scheme, Mr Verster commenting at the time: “I can’t stress how important this (scheme) is. Lincoln High Street, as well as Brayford Wharf, are the two highest risk level crossings in my area.

“By putting the footbridge in place, what we actually provide is 24 hour, seven days a week, opportunity for pedestrians to cross the railway safely.”

Mark added: “Historically the High Street level crossing barrier was sometimes closed for as long as 15 minutes at a time, prompting some individuals to become frustrated and run the gauntlet of an oncoming train. This new structure will massively reduce the risk of pedestrian injury.”

External cladding on the structure is in progress with glazing to either side of the crossing corridor to follow quickly after.

“This has been a major development that involved the diversion of certain services such as cabling and water pipes, however, the long term benefits will massively outweigh the short term inconvenience,” he added.

High Street Bridge under construction

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney has campaigned against the issue of high risk level crossings alongside other transport issues.
He said: “I’m very pleased to see that as a city we are getting there with transportation. I also want people to know that the city of Lincoln is a very welcoming destination. It’s a momentous moment for the people who live and work here but also the people who visit.”
Network Rail has sought advice from Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council, English Heritage, University of Lincoln, the Brayford Trust, Lincoln business groups and local residents as part of the design and development of the High Street footbridge.
City of Lincoln Council leader Ric Metcalfe said: “We’re getting very close to the point where we are going to finally see this footbridge built which has been an aspiration of the council’s for many many years.
“There used to be an old wooden footbridge here that fell into disrepair. The new footbridge is well designed, there will be lifts and it will reduce the impact on the High Street created by the rail corridor.
“This, combined with the new East West Road link will mean that both pedestrians and traffic will be able to move around the city centre far more easily.”

Client: Network Rail
Contractor: Galliford Try Plc