October 10, 2014 5.33 pm
This story is over 93 months old
Work begins on £12m Lincoln High Street level crossing bridge scheme
Finally: Lincoln High Street is one step closer to a long-awaited footbridge over the train lines to ease congestion and misuse.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney marked the start of the High Street footbridge work with Network Rail Managing Director Phil Verster. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln High Street is one step closer to a long-awaited footbridge over the level crossing, to ease congestion and waiting times for pedestrians.
Work officially began to remodel the property at 179 High Street on Friday, October 10.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney and Network Rail Route Managing Director Phil Verster launched the start of the works at the former Superdrug and The Sleep Shop units.
The target date for completion of the High Street bridge is October 2015.
Network Rail are investing £12 million in the bridges, along with a second over the Brayford Wharf level crossing.
The Lincoln High Street level crossing pedestrian footbridge from Network Rail, as viewed from the upper High Street.
As previously reported, work to the Brayford footbridge will begin much later than the High Street project due to the discovery of unmapped utilities.
Network Rail expect the Brayford Wharf level crossing bridge to reach completion around March 2016.
Managing Director at Network Route Managing Director Phil Verster said: “I can’t stress how important this is as well as the Brayford footbridge.
“Lincoln High Street, as well as Brayford Wharf are the two highest risk level crossings in my area.
“By putting the footbridges in place, what we actually provide is 24 hour, seven days a week, opportunity for pedestrians to cross the railways safely.
“The two bridges will cost around £12 million, but the risk reduction that we will see will certainly justify that.
“The first steps on the project here on the High Street are not going to be very visible to the public. It will be diversion of services such as cabling and water pipes.
“Around January time, the public will start to see us demolish the current building (formerly occupied by Superdrug and Sleep Shop) and start construction.”
Work begins. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney has campaigned against the issue of the high risk level crossing alongside other transport issues.
He said: “One of the main things for me was, yes the footbridge, but I didn’t want Network Rail to be given permission to close the road to vehicles and pedestrians, so the outcome is great.
“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.
“Today’s event is definitely a positive step forward that I welcome, as we work to address the disruption and risk to the public posed by these level crossings that cut the city I represent in half.”
Plans for the High Street footbridge were approved by the city council in January.
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 two footbridges.
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 will be 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.”
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We have arrested a 34-year-old woman on suspicion of attempted murder following an altercation which has left a man with multiple wounds requiring hospital treatment.
Officers were called to reports that a man had suffered what were described as stab wounds at an address in Kenner Close, Lincoln. The exact cause of the wounds is under investigation.
On arrival, officers found a man in his 60’s with significant injuries to the neck and face area. He received treatment at the scene and is now being treated in hospital. His condition is described as life-threatening.
The call came in at 12.49pm today (Sunday 7 August). Acting on intelligence, officers arrested a suspect eight minutes later. She remains in police custody.
We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and we would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances and allow officers the time to investigate this thoroughly.
Specially trained investigators, response officers and forensic investigators will remain on the scene for at least the next 24 hours while they carry out initial enquiries.
We would like to appeal to anyone who may have information about the incident to get in touch and help us piece together what has happened. Any piece of information, no matter how big or small, may prove crucial.
If you can help, there are a number of ways to get in touch:
• You can call us on 101 quoting incident number 214 of 7 August.
• You can email: [email protected] adding incident number 214 of 7 August in the subject line.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online
We are investigating following a house fire where a man has sadly died.
Officers were called to the incident in Farrow Road, Spalding, at 1.03am today (7 August) following reports of what was described as an explosion. The property has suffered 100% damage.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public who offered assistance, a man in his 50’s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed.
Another man who is thought to have been passing by the property and offered his help suffered burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and we are keeping an open mind as experts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service investigate today. We would encourage people not to speculate while we investigate the cause.
Officers will remain in the area for the next few days carrying out enquiries.
Anyone who saw or heard anything, or captured the incident on doorbell camera or dashcam is asked to contact us. There are a number of ways to get in touch:
You can call us on 101 quoting incident number 43 of 7 August.
You can email: [email protected] incident number 43 of 7 August in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online
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