Subpar Lincoln footbridge steps relaid after just six weeks

At least half of the new £12 million Lincoln High Street footbridge steps have been closed off so that contractors can fix a number of identified problems.

As reported previously, the new footbridge over the High Street level crossing was completed at the end of June, allowing stepped access and lifts over the busy and often troublesome crossing.

Since the opening, a number of elements have been flagged up by Network Rail as failing to meet expected standards and contractors have been brought back to correct defects.

Paving slabs from both stairways have been removed to be relaid to a better standard.

Network Rail has stated this is a “routine part of the construction process” and the bridge was in no way unsafe. 

The following improvements are being carried out:

• Changing some of the paving on the bridge
• Carrying out fault checks on the lifts
• Swapping elements of the temporary drainage under the bridge all for permanent

Some users of the bridge have taken to social media to document the ongoing work on the site.

Andrew Washington posted pictures of the works on the ‘Your probably from Lincoln if…’ Facebook group page.

Ken Moore said: “The whole thing looks like a three-year-old built it. Gaps between the posts and tiles, duct tape on the hand rails and the lift isn’t working.”

Margaret Norris added: “Used the bridge for the first time today. Thought the general finish was dreadful. The lift on the north side arrived at bridge level, doors failed to open and it returned to ground level, twice!

“I gave up and walked down but it wasn’t so easy for young mums with children and buggies.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said:

“Our teams are currently carrying out ‘snagging’ work on the new bridge on Lincoln High Street.

“This is a normal process which takes place after a major piece of construction to ensure that any minor defects which have been found since the bridge opened are rectified by our contractor before they leave the site.

Photo: Andrew Washington

“This process will continue for short period until Network Rail is entirely happy that the bridge meets our high standards.

“We recognise this may appear unusual as the bridge has only recently opened to the public, but would like to reassure those concerned that this is a routine part of the construction process and that the bridge is in no way unsafe.”