New Bridges for the Two Tunnels Route

Sustrans have submitted a pair of planning applications for the replacement bridges that will span two roads in Oldfield Park – Millmead Road and Monksdale Road. Help the route: follow the link and provide a supportive comment – no need to write pages, but just a sentence describing why the bridges are a good idea for the route.

• 10/04378/FUL Monksdale Road Bridge
• 10/04379/FUL Millmead Road Bridge

Why does the route need bridges?

The current arrangements, for many, are no obstacle at all, so it can be difficult at first to see why the crossings actually need replacement bridges and new ramps. The access ramps were built at a time when far less was known about accessibility – they’re pretty steep. Something better’s needed because ramps, gates and road crossings can be a serious issue if you happen to have a pushchair/young children/pets – and may be a complete blocker if you happen to be in a wheelchair.

The new bridges will allow an easy crossing of the two roads. At the same time, replacement ramps on an easier gradient will allow far better access to the new Two Tunnels route – especially for people in wheelchairs. Lastly – and this is something that’s provided much of the funding – the two new bridges will provide safe routes for people to Oldfield Park’s schools.

Alternatives

One alternative would be to ease the gradient of the existing ramps – which would have meant a great deal more material removed from the embankments – and would have retained the road crossings, which may then have justified (expensive) signal controlled Toucan crossings.

The other alternative is to put in bridges. These will not be replacements of the narrow masonry arches of the originals. Instead, the proposal is to build out the existing embankment to close the gap to thirty metres, and this will then be bridged with a steel span of a specific type – a ‘Warren Truss’ – here’s more from ‘Wisegeek’ on Warren Truss bridges. A bridge of this type will be lighter than the original, but will be a good fit for the location – and they’re commonly used in connection with railway works. A bollard at either end of each bridge will prevent vehicle access.

So let’s build bridges

In the planning application, you’ll find details of the design – for instance, the bridge spans will be supported on concrete plinth foundations within the tips of the embankment at either end. It may even be that the cores of the earthworks for the new bridges will be made with some of the material from the Devonshire Tunnel cutting. (For one of the bridges this would mean that it will be brought back to the place from which it was removed). You’ll also see that the existing slope will first be stripped and ‘Stepped’ to key the new material into the old railway earthworks – this is a high quality and secure approach to building earthworks: sometimes neglected, but not in this case.

These two bridges will be an asset to the route, and the people who will use them for day to day travel. Please help them into being by supporting the planning applications.