January 6, 2014 4.22 pm This story is over 130 months old

Road closed for six months to build Lincoln footbridge

Road closed: Brayford Wharf East will be closed for six months while Network Rail begin work on the pedestrian footbridge.

A Lincoln road near Brayford Pool will close for around six months while a project to build a footbridge over railway lines begins.

The project on Brayford Wharf East by Network Rail aims to help reduce waiting times for pedestrians at the level crossing, therefore stopping people running through the barriers dangerously.

The footbridge plans were approved by the City of Lincoln Council in March last year, with plans for a High Street footbridge to follow.

The footbridge will have lifts for disabled access as well as steps, and the plans include work to clear the swan jetty, move the old signal box closer to the water and enlarge the university campus bridge.

The new Brayford level crossing bridge designs from Network Rail, by Stem Architects

The new Brayford level crossing bridge designs from Network Rail, by Stem Architects

To undertake this work, it means a temporary traffic order to close Brayford Wharf East is scheduled from January 13 for around approximately six months.

However, pedestrians will still have normal access along the road.

Lincolnshire County Council will also make use of the closure by improving paving and cycling facilities, with wider footways, better streetlighting and a new road layout.

Following the improvements, the road will be one-way northbound only between St Marks and Brayford Street.

The right-turn out of Brayford Wharf East on to Wigford Way will be re-instated too.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “This road closure will allow us to being the complex process of diverting utilities and preparing the site for the construction of the new footbridge.

“We are committed to completing the construction of the bridge as quickly and efficiently as possible and thank the people of Lincoln for their patience during the works.

“Once complete the new bridge will provide free-flowing access across the railway at all times.

“We expect a decision on our planning application for the bridge on High Street at the end of this month.”