Work begins to replace Havant station's ageing footbridge

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Work begins to replace Havant station's ageing footbridge

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The council said the new bridge would be twice as wide as the existing structure - Image © Hampshire County Council

Multi-million pound work to replace a railway station's ageing footbridge has begun, with disruption expected to last for 12 months.

The 79-year-old footbridge at Havant station in Hampshire is located between Elmleigh Road and North Street.

Hampshire County Council said the £12.8m scheme would "provide a safer, more accessible and attractive crossing".

A signed diversion route will provide access across the railway line in both directions but add about 10 minutes to journeys on foot, the council said.

[Image from here is not available to guests]
The bridge was built in 1947 and spans Havant station - Image © Hampshire County Council

The council said the new bridge would be twice as wide as the existing structure and more accessible for cyclists, wheelchair, and mobility scooter users, as well as people travelling with prams or pushchairs.

Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet lead for universal services, said: "This is a complex project, with work taking place over a live railway line, and we recognise that the closure of the existing bridge and the introduction of diversion routes will cause some disruption."

Havant station is the fourth busiest in Hampshire, serving more than 1.8 million passengers a year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.  A pedestrian survey carried out by the county council recorded more than 1,650 people using the station daily.

The council said the cost of the project has been funded using a combination of money from the Department for Transport, developer contributions and Havant Borough Council's community infrastructure levy fund.

[infoman]

If i have got this wrong please correct me.

I was under the impression that all new structures(bridges?) that they have to clearance for the possibility over head wires installation.
Although the images are not very clear if their is enough room for the over head wires

I think the chances of over head wires ever being installed on the that south coast line is very remote.

[Chris from Nailsea]

With thanks for your post here, infoman, I rather think that is a possible issue you need to take up with Hampshire County Council and Network Rail, who are actually doing the work.

[grahame]

I think the chances of over head wires ever being installed on the that south coast line is very remote.

"Ever" is a very dangerous word.  I am reminded that the original electrification on the London and South Coast Railway was overhead, and that was replaced by third rail around 100 years ago.  Third rail around the Newcastle area was replaced by overhead ...