May 23, 2022 1.00 pm This story is over 21 months old

Pedestrian bridge could be built across Trent for Gainsborough visitors

They would be able to leave their cars out of town

A pedestrian and cycle bridge could be built across the River Trent to allow Gainsborough commuters to park out of town.

The concept of the ‘Park and Stride’ system is laid out in the Gainsborough Transport Strategy looking at potential improvements to the town’s roads.

People would be able to leave their vehicles in a new car park on the west bank of the river.

They would then cross the water on foot or bike, using a new bridge which would be built to the north of the current crossing.

This would reduce the amount of congestion from people driving into the town over the Trent Bridge, and lessen demand for parking spaces.

The west bank site could also include a mobility hub, with a range of different transport options such as shuttle buses, taxis, bike hire, and electric charging points.

However, the council wants more questions answered before it commits to the project.

The transport strategy is looking at how travel will change over the next few years. | Photo: Stock image

The transport strategy says: “This potential project requires further investigation to assess its feasibility and deliverability before it could form one of the strategy’s key pillars.”

The strategy is focused on levelling up Gainsborough’s transport links between 2022 and 2036.

The train and bus stations would also become mobility hubs giving people greater choice on how they get around, such as switching from car to bus or train to bike.

Councillor Richard Davies, the executive member for highways and transport at Lincolnshire County Council, says in the report that people are changing how they travel.

“We’ve factored in the significant changes to working patterns and travel habits we’ve seen as a result of the pandemic, with more people using online services and in home-working or hybrid scenarios,” he said.

“We want to meet these, and other changing travel demands by offering a wider range of affordable, reliable and environmentally-friendly travel options for people to choose from – all while supporting planned economic growth.

“This will lead to more people using alternative forms of transport, resulting in less congestion and a more pleasant town centre, making Gainsborough a more prosperous, attractive and healthier place to live, learn, work and visit.”

The strategy will be discussed at the council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee on Monday, May 30.