New Scarborough Bridge foot and cycle bridge to be lifted in by rail crane

21 February 2019

The new, wider shared-use bridge at Scarborough Bridge is set to be lifted in by rail crane over the next two weekends as part of a £4 million upgrade.

The first span of the new bridge will be lifted into place by crane from the railway track overnight on Saturday (23 February) to minimise disruption. As part of this process Wigginton Road will be closed on Saturday night / Sunday early morning at the rail level crossing.

The new bridge for people travelling by bike or on foot between the railway station and city centre is being delivered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £60 million CityConnect programme, which is aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and walk, in partnership with City of York Council and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership.

More than 3,000 people crossed the old footbridge daily, despite access issues.

Watch this footage of the old footbridge being lifted out by rail crane earlier this month.

The new 65-metre long bridge will be more than three times as wide at 3.7metres, increasing access to more people. It is due to open to the public next month (March) and will offer step-free access with ramps as well as new external steps leading to the riverside paths.

On the southern side a new path on the top of the embankment will mean that users can travel directly between York Station and the new bridge providing a traffic free scenic route to the city centre.

The project has been part-funded by a £1.9m grant through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike or on foot.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “It’s great to see our Scarborough Bridge scheme, which will benefit both residents and visitors, move another step closer to completion.

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with City of York Council and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership on this scheme, which will provide much-needed access improvements between the train station and city centre.

“We know encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individual’s money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.”

Executive member for transport and planning, Cllr Peter Dew, said: “This new bridge will help to really open up the area to many more people thanks to the new ramps and shared use design. The old bridge, despite its access issues, was very well used and I hope even more people will use this new bridge connecting the city centre and station in a great traffic free route.

“Unfortunately there is likely to be some short term disruption whilst the new bridge is craned in. I would like to reassure residents that we working to keep this disruption to a minimum.”

Executive member for economic development and community engagement, Cllr Keith Aspden, said: “There has long been calls to replace the Scarborough Bridge pedestrian and cycle crossing. Following extensive consultation with residents, businesses and partners we will shortly see the new bridge in place for thousands of people to use daily.”

David Kerfoot, Chair of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership says: “The new bridge is coming together before our eyes, with minimal disruption to the public and residents. Both businesses and the public will enjoy significant benefits from greater accessibility to this busy thoroughfare.”

The new bridge will be accessible even when the river is in flood. It will also be well lit and covered by CCTV.

The cost of the new bridge is £4 million. Most of this has been funded externally from central government grants, which the council has bid for over the past three years in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership.

Find out more information about Scarborough Bridge.