Network Rail and Karl McCartney MP were today joined by representatives from Lincoln City Council and Lincolnshire County Council to celebrate the opening of the new footbridge over the level crossing at High Street.
Before the bridge opened the crossing was ranked as the highest risk for misuse in the region.
The crossing on High Street sees over 140 trains per day pass through; with the latest census report showing almost 35,000 pedestrians or cyclists use it every day. Worryingly, pedestrians are often seen running over the crossing once the lights sequence has begun and even when the barriers have started to lower, significantly increasing the risk of a safety incident. Now Network Rail is urging people to use the new footbridge and not to take a risk by using the crossing once the lights sequence as begun.
Karl McCartney JP MP, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, said: “I am delighted to have attended and played an integral part in the official opening of the High Street footbridge now that Network Rail have, at last, been able to complete this vital transport project that I pledged to deliver for Lincoln before I was first elected as our City’s Member of Parliament.
“Level crossing safety and appropriate bridges have always been an issue I have campaigned on, but the High Street level crossing, in particular, was one of my key promises to the people of Lincoln and will be of huge benefit to the City.
“Alongside the coming Brayford Wharf East footbridge and better direct rail services to London, Lincoln will soon be one of Britain’s most rail friendly cities for passengers, pedestrians and motorists alike - a very different situation to when I was first elected in 2010.
“The missing pieces of the transport jigsaw in Lincoln are all coming together to create a joined up City, exactly what we need to take advantage of Lincoln’s thriving economy in the 21st Century.”
The bridge has been opened to the public as soon as possible in order to bring its benefits to the people of Lincoln. Finishing work will continue on site. In order to complete this safely the bridge will be closed overnight from 11pm to 5am for the next three weeks.
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For further information, please contact Karl McCartney JP MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk / 020 7219 7221.