Construction work is scheduled to start this Autumn and it is expected the bridge will be completed and open to the public next Spring.
The Great Western mainline from London Paddington to Penzance travels along the east of Lostwithiel across Grenville Road, one of the main routes into and out of the town which is operated by a level crossing. When trains are approaching or in the station, road users and pedestrians alike currently must wait at the level crossing for an average of 22 minutes an hour.
The new footbridge will mean pedestrians, non-road users and passengers will no longer need to wait at the level crossing to cross the railway. There have also been incidents of trespassing and misuse of the level crossing, which it is hoped this new footbridge will help reduce alongside the improved connectivity.
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The FRP 'Legacy Footbridge' – designed and to be installed by contractor Taziker – will be the first of its kind to be installed over the railway. The bridge structure will be delivered in preassembled sections enabling it to be quickly installed in just days without the need to close the railway and impact passenger services. Constructed from Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials, the bridge is a light weight, low-carbon structure that is highly durable and requires little or no maintenance.
The design of the footbridge also accommodates the future installation of lifts, which subject to future funding being approved, will enable the footbridge to provide connectivity to the station and town for all users.
The project is also improving accessibility to the station, via a new accessible ramp from the road to platform 2, which will enable the station to become fully accessible to modern standards from the road for the first time and ensure passengers and station users with mobility needs can easily and safely access the station.
Additional improvements to the station including the installation of tactile paving on both platforms will further enhance the safety of the station and improve accessibility for people with a visual impairment.
