Work begins this weekend to install two new pedestrian and cycle bridges alongside a road as it crosses a railway in Bournemouth.
Two four-metre-wide, 31-metre-long prefabricated bridges will arrive on site this week ready to be lifted into position over the railway line at Glenferness Avenue.
The new bridges, which are part of a package of cycling and walking improvements along Glenferness Avenue, were funded through south east Dorset’s Transforming Cities Fund.
The highway authority said they will give people a separate, safe, traffic-free space to walk, wheel and cycle across the railway line, forming a crucial part of a sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Talbot Woods, Winton and Wallisdown and future plans for the route all the way out to Ferndown.
Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy at BCP Council said: ‘Installing these bridges is a significant piece of engineering work.
'They will fix a longstanding barrier to local journeys for people walking, cycling and wheeling across the railway line on Glenferness Avenue, providing a completely separate and safe route away from the busy, narrow road bridge on both sides of the road.’
The installation of the bridges and removal of the existing pedestrian bridge is programmed to take place during a 26-hour window from Sunday (1 October) to Monday.
The first new bridge will be lifted into position on the west side of the road bridge by crane and placed onto the precast concrete foundations. This will be followed by the removal and recycling of the existing footbridge.
The installation of the new bridge on the east side of the road bridge will complete the process.
BCP Council said the installation work has been meticulously planned hour by hour and will be overseen by a project team from, supporting contractors and Network Rail.
One of the bridges being installed on Glenferness Avenue this weekend to provide safer cycling, wheeling and walking is currently on its way to site!
— BCP Council (@BCPCouncil) September 26, 2023
It's 4m wide, 31m long and we can't wait to see it in place ??
More information here: https://t.co/z7C2eSUgXy pic.twitter.com/KvvJR37l9S
