Black Path Footbridge to be improved
Warwickshire County Council is to upgrade the southern access to the Black Path footbridge in Rugby.
The improvements will make this well-used bridge more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and those with mobility problems, and will include CCTV to improve safety.
It is being funded through the County Council’s Local Transport Plan, which aims to improve accessibility and safety.
The upgrading of the Black Path footbridge, which was last improved in the 1960s when the West Coast Main Line (WCML) was electrified, is happening over three stages.
The first stage of works were completed last year, when Network Rail replaced the main bridge span as part of the WCML route upgrade. The second phase of work includes the replacement of the existing southern access steps and bridge span across the Woodside Business Park with a new bridge span and ramp.
The third and final phase will see the replacement of the steps on the northern side of the footbridge with a ramp. These works are due to take place as part of the Sustrans ‘Connect2’ project to improve the Leicester Road viaduct as a cycle route. This, along with the upgraded Black Path footbridge will form part of Route 53 of the National Cycle Network between Birmingham and Northamptonshire.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, says: “This is a great opportunity to reduce the accessibility difficulties which are caused by the railway line in Rugby, and improve the linkages between the north and south of the town.
"With the imminent relocation of Warwickshire College to the former Alstom/GEC site, this investment will hopefully encourage those using the facility to walk or cycle rather than take the car. We are also making this investment to continue our commitment to assist the development of the National Cycle Network.”
Demolition of the existing span over the Woodbridge Business Park and the southern steps is due to begin in October 2008. The works to provide the new structure and associated ramp are due to be completed by January 2009. During this period, the footbridge will not be available for public use.
Although the footbridge will not be fully accessible for pedestrians or cyclists until the third phase of the works have been completed, it is hoped that this will only be a temporary arrangement. Until then, signs will be provided on the southern access to the footbridge to warn users that the steps on the northern side are still in use.