Call for action on crumbling bridge at train station
The footbridge at Havant railway station
CALLS have been made for a new footbridge over the railway at Havant as scaffolding goes up to support the ageing structure.
The footbridge at the western end of the train station is used by hundreds of people every day as they travel from one part of the town centre to another.
But the walkway is in such bad condition that Hampshire County Council is being forced to erect scaffolding under the beams.
The steelwork has corroded significantly.
Tony Briggs, the leader of Havant Borough Council, said it was time for a new modern footbridge as it is a vital step in regenerating the town.
Cllr Briggs said: ‘The county council two years ago had a plan to put a new footbridge and it has withdrawn that funding.
‘Quite frankly I am not surprised that the present footbridge is deemed to be unsafe and in need of some remedial work.
‘As far as long-term, it has always been this council’s aspiration for that bridge to be replaced with a modern bridge which then links the public service village and the college directly with the northern part of Havant town. We should have a design ready to go and we should be looking at developers’ contributions from both sides of the railway to help finance that.’
Councillor Mel Kendal, in charge of transport at the county council, said: ‘I want to reassure people that the footbridge is safe to use but it is in need of urgent attention.
‘This will give time for thorough investigation of the most appropriate permanent solution.
‘I am sure Havant residents will understand this is not a quick-fix matter and bear with us while we complete this essential work.’
Work to put up the scaffolding starts on February 27 and will take council workers four weeks.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
griffon
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 12:52 PMYocal it's a Hampshire County Council responsibility pure and simple and they haven't met it. For their transport spokesman to say he hopes Havant people will not see it as quick fix problem is actually insulting. They've been waiting 20 years for a replacement but HCC prefers to spend money on the so called Plaza rather than essential infrastructure.
Yocal
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:51 AMudontknow@10 ---- The 'train' companies do not own the tracks, Network Rail are responsible for the tracks, signalling system etc. They also own the stations but do not operate them, the 'train' companies operate the stations and rolling-stock. They 'own' the rolling-stock, although obviously they operate as franchises, so that makes things complicated with the rolling-stock. I guess that because parts of the supporting structure is within the station grounds, then Network Rail may have some input into the situation, however that fact doesn't mean that Network Rail are contractually responsible for the bridge. The entrance and exit are outside the station grounds.
Whitters
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 02:11 AMSnapdog; they did when there was a risk that any of the work would affect the safety of the railway.
udontknow
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 05:32 PMSince the bridge is there to get over the railways tracks then the Train companies that use the tracks should sponsor it to help pay.
snapdog
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 04:47 PM@7 of course they won't close the station, did they shut Fratton and Portsmouth when they did the road bridge at copnor... No!
Chris 71
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 04:34 PMThey should also look at the footbridge in Portsmouth from Greetham St. Erected in the early 60's it has never had a thing done to it. The state of it is appalling. Rusted metal, big gaping holes in the metal mesh, filthy and used often as a male toilet, only swept when someone complains about the vast amount of rubbish on it. A real eyesore to anyone entering the city as the station is nearby. It makes the Havant one look nice !! Apparently it belongs to Network rail but the council are supposed to keep it clean. Clearly they need to get together and have a good look at it before it collapses. Fine view for the visiting tourists that is.!!
Whitters
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:58 PMProblem will be that any on-site work will require closing the railway beneath it. So any work being done would have to be undertaken overnight (objections from the yokels), at weekends (objections from the scroats going to and from the local pubs with their dole money) or at Christmas (the council won't pay the wages for working Christmas Day)........
Roger999
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:08 PMMaybe Nintendo could sponsor it? - well if it will help folk travel across town to the councils 'PSP' - game on!! No? oh well never mind, the weather is warming up, they'll be a few 'travellers' along soon, maybe they will take it away fro scrap - save us council tax payers a few million quids!!!!!!!!!
franjan5332
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:42 PMI think this came originally from the old Farlington station so it's pretty ancient. It was patched up some years ago and no doubt it will be patched up again. Perhaps a local business would like to sponsor it?
snapdog
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:45 AMComment removed by moderator
nitram
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:59 AMConsidering the thousand of people that use it daily, it is astonishing that the borough and county councils have let it rot. It's a terrible welcome to Havant from the station and does untold further damage to the town centre's reputation. It's a disgrace and an embarassment. Enough money has been wasted on remedial safety work - it needs ripping down and replaced.
griffon
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:23 AMIt was down on the county council's list at one time for replacement and then got taken off without so much as a whimper from Havant Council. Anybody getting off at Havant station and seeing the rusting bridge, boarded up pub and empty shops, not to mention the litter around the station would be back on the next train out..
Flying bull
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 07:53 AMQuestion 1 Why was it not maintained in the first place? Question 2 Why will it take a whole month the scaffold it? Question 3 Why is there no quick fix? After all its only a foot bridge and not the Hindhead tunnel
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