Work to start on replacement Telford railway footbridge

The work to build and install the new link between Telford town centre and Telford Central railway station is extremely complex and challenging, spanning two dual carriageways and the Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton railway line.

Initial clearance, surveying and underground services investigation works were completed earlier this year.

The new footbridge will replace the existing, outdated red bridge – which is very expensive to maintain, is too steep and does not comply with modern disability access legislation.

The new bridge will be completed by autumn 2018 as part of Telford’s 50th birthday celebrations.

Balfour Beatty, the main contractor for the construction of the new footbridge, will soon begin to establish their main compound and welfare facilities in the station's overflow car park area off Euston Way.

Traffic management will be in place from late October on the A442 and Rampart Way.

It will be necessary to close the nearside lanes of both the A442 and Rampart Way throughout the works to safeguard the construction areas on either side of the A442 and on the town centre side of Rampart Way.

Traffic management will be put in on the Euston Way entrance to Telford Central railway station to allow the bus way to be realigned outside the train station building.

Once the compound is in place, work will continue through to autumn 2018. The majority of works will be during the day, although some activities – particularly close to the railway – will have to be carried out at night.

A number of further road closures will be necessary throughout the works to allow for delivery of sections of the new bridge and the bridge being constructed.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The Telford Central footbridge project is part of the £12m Telford Town Centre Connectivity Package, which is funded through the Department for Transport Highways Challenge Fund.

“The new bridge will form a landmark gateway to Telford town centre and will make access easier for pedestrian, disabled people and cyclists.

“The construction and installation of the new bridge and the demolition of the old one is going to be very complicated from a logistical point of view and could pose some significant challenges. However, the new bridge will be a major improvement to the town centre’s connectivity and accessibility."

More information can be found at telford.gov.uk/connectivity