New Barnsley footbridge

[Dave_sy]

Evenin’ all, new member here but long time lurker.

Apologies if this has been covered already, though I never saw if it was...

Preliminary proposals are in for the new footbridge to replace the Jumble Lane crossing adjacent to Barnsley station. The sketches are impressive with a cable stayed structure and “funicular” lifts for accessibility. The council reports also talk about it enabling higher capacity, longer platforms and HS2 services by removing the “high risk” crossing.

To secure funding it will have to be completed in just over a year from now.

More here:
http://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/5m-to-bridge-the-gap

The bridge will take people from the new Market Gate car park over the railway line at roughly the point where the level crossing stands today, to the pedestrian area in front of the Transport Interchange’s main entrance.

This will be on the edge of the new Market Square which will be created following the opening of the Glass Work and the refurbished indoor market, and the removal of the temporary market ‘shed’.

The £5m bridge is being funded 50/50 by Barnsley Council and Network Rail, which wants to get rid of the level crossing on safety grounds.

Leader of the council Sir Steve Houghton said the bridge would be a striking and attractive addition to the town centre, but health and safety was the primary

 

[J-2739]

Looks proper nice!

 

[55z]

Looks good.

 

[DarloRich]

that lift is a design risk!

 

[Dave_sy]

Updated proposals can be found here:

https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/5m-footbridge-plans-submitted-for-approval

Along with detailed plans on the planning section of the council website. Certainly eye catching, being 100 ft tall

 

[Iskra]

This may be a stupid question, but where are the cars going to go?

 

[marcouk2]

They're not, the current LC was used for the multistory carpark which is now closed prior to being demolished as well as service access for the markets which as part of the Glassworks redevelopment are being moved.

 

[eastdyke]

This may be a stupid question, but where are the cars going to go?

Ask Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, its their scheme. From version 4 of the bridge scheme:
https://barnsleymbc.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s25358/Appendix B.pdf

A new access route for the servicing of the Glass Works and the Markets will be created off Lambra road. This removes the requirement for vehicles to cross Jumble Lane. A Traffic Regulation Order has been approved in principle which will enable the highway over the crossing to be closed.

I also note this from NR in the same document:

In 2013 Network Rail approached BMBC to discuss the possibility of closing the existing Jumble Lane crossing. Network Rail highlighted the level of risk associated with the crossing in the Network Rail risk model, Jumble Lane is currently ranked 27th most dangerous out of 2312 level crossings on the London North Eastern & East Midlands Route, classing this crossing as high risk.

I do hope that the 26 crossings that are deemed to be even higher risk are in process of being closed as well
The press article linked by @Dave_sy above suggests:

Although the current level crossing is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the country, no details of any accident record has been submitted with the application.

But that of course is a journalist's piece.

 

[marcouk2]

It's pedestrian risk mainly, people always trying to beat the barriers or deliberately misusing the crossing, only saw a guy today run across the tracks after the barriers had started to come down.

 

[eastdyke]

that lift is a design risk!

More a cost risk I would say, non-standard bespoke bits, maintenance, repairs resulting from vandalism. Likely to be a local laughing stock when down-time happens. 'The funicular is f***ed'
A standard lift would do the same job for less risk and money. Perhaps Barnsley has plenty of the latter?
Some of the locals may be very pleased with their new skatepark facility though (just the bridge and stairs).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

More a cost risk I would say, non-standard bespoke bits, maintenance, repairs resulting from vandalism. Likely to be a local laughing stock when down-time happens. 'The funicular is f***ed'
A standard lift would do the same job for less risk and money. Perhaps Barnsley has plenty of the latter?
Some of the locals may be very pleased with their new skatepark facility though (just the bridge and stairs).

Agree with this. Smacks of a vanity-project design to me, not good value for Barnsley taxpayers. I wonder if the architect is a certain Mr. Lyle Lanley, who wooed the council with a catchy tune?

 

[J-2739]

Just recently, a new footbridge has been installed.

 

[woodhouse122]

Just recently, a new footbridge has been installed.

and awful it is too with no access for Wheelchair users or elderly (they have to go all the way to the rail station to use the lift over the rail line and into the interchange) TBH i don't know why they bothered as it was OK as it was,it is not as if Barnsley has enough trains to Justify putting in a footbridge

 

[matacaster]

Eh, eck, 't new footbridge 'al enable mi to ger over't track wi mi ferrets!

(NB I'm posting this from Barnsley)

 

[J-2739]

and awful it is too with no access for Wheelchair users or elderly (they have to go all the way to the rail station to use the lift over the rail line and into the interchange) TBH i don't know why they bothered as it was OK as it was,it is not as if Barnsley has enough trains to Justify putting in a footbridge

It does receive 4tph, which is quite plenty for a small town. This, and a level crossing direct in the centre, makes a recipe for chaos...

Eh, eck, 't new footbridge 'al enable mi to ger over't track wi mi ferrets!

(NB I'm posting this from Barnsley)

Very good!

 

[Glenn1969]

I do wonder what will happen to the 4th train per hour when the Nottingham service moves to via Westgate? I thought that was going to be the Lincoln service but that is currently running alongside the Nottingham services so does anyone know if Barnsley will keep 4tph after Northern Connect launches or drop to 3tph?

 

[Mikey C]

https://www.cml.uk.com/news/tempora...ootbridge-installed-for-barnsley-town-centre/

Isn't it just a temporary structure until the proper footbridge is built?

Is the level crossing still open? I'd rather wait to cross than go over that structure!

 

[marcouk2]

Yes, it's a temporary structure until the new bridge is built. The level crossing is closed except for certain times on days that Barnsley FC are playing at Oakwell to allow easier access.

 

[J-2739]

I do wonder what will happen to the 4th train per hour when the Nottingham service moves to via Westgate? I thought that was going to be the Lincoln service but that is currently running alongside the Nottingham services so does anyone know if Barnsley will keep 4tph after Northern Connect launches or drop to 3tph?

I thought there would be an extra fast Leeds-Sheffield service to compensate?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I thought there would be an extra fast Leeds-Sheffield service to compensate?

There will be. The eventual plan for Barnsley is:

• 2tph Semi-fast Leeds - Sheffield, one continuing to Lincoln.
• 1tph Leeds - Sheffield (all stops via Castleford).
• 1tph Huddersfield - Sheffield (all stops).

Travel South Yorkshire also have aspirations for a second train each hour from Barnsley to Huddersfield, which would presumably run to Sheffield rather than turning back at Barnsley. This would require infrastructure enhancements outside of TSY's area of influence though, as an additional loop is required at the Huddersfield end of the line. A Penistone turnback (from Sheffield) might be possible without any changes to track work, but I doubt such a service would be financially viable.

 

[_toommm_]

There will be. The eventual plan for Barnsley is:

• 2tph Semi-fast Leeds - Sheffield, one continuing to Lincoln.
• 1tph Leeds - Sheffield (all stops via Castleford).
• 1tph Huddersfield - Sheffield (all stops).

Travel South Yorkshire also have aspirations for a second train each hour from Barnsley to Huddersfield, which would presumably run to Sheffield rather than turning back at Barnsley. This would require infrastructure enhancements outside of TSY's area of influence though, as an additional loop is required at the Huddersfield end of the line. A Penistone turnback (from Sheffield) might be possible without any changes to track work, but I doubt such a service would be financially viable.

Penistone turnback is possible - both platforms are bi-di, and indeed when there's problems on the single line from Penistone out to Huddersfield, it's used as a place to turn them. Arrive from Sheffield into the Huddersfield-bound platform, depart back to Sheffield from the Huddersfield-bound platform

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Penistone turnback is possible - both platforms are bi-di, and indeed when there's problems on the single line from Penistone out to Huddersfield, it's used as a place to turn them. Arrive from Sheffield into the Huddersfield-bound platform, depart back to Sheffield from the Huddersfield-bound platform

I knew it was bi-di, but wasn't sure if there'd be a clash with the southbound from Huddersfield. Turns out if you run in the opposite half hour, there is a bit of a conflict.

 

[woodhouse122]

i wonder if anyone has phoned up to ask for the interchange footbridge to be open before 5am or after midnight (if i was dissabled or elderly i would be seriously pissed off with this situation forced on them by network rail )

 

[studio_two]

Yes. The level crossing is now completely closed.

To make matters worse, the temporary bridge is also closed when there is a football match (presumably due to concerns about the capacity of the bridge).

A lengthy detour is in operation for those making their way from the town centre to the football stadium.

Ordinarily, it is possible to use the footbridge inside the interchange. However, this “concession” is also suspended on match days.