lodged a new proposal this spring<\/a> due to fears the previous design would be too expensive.<\/p>\nThe proposal for the stepped-only ‘flow’ bridge was submitted in revised plans to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in May.<\/p>\n
More than two months on and planning officers have rubber-stamped plans for the 8.5m bridge to replace Cradle Bridge Crossing.<\/p>\n
![\"Cradle](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg)
Cradle Bridge Crossing has been labelled unsafe<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a similar crossing several hundred metres away, called Bolleaux Crossing, will be decommissioned.<\/p>\n
Developer Quinn Estates, which is working with Netowrk Rail on the scheme, described the new bridge \u2013 grey, brown and red in colour \u2013 as “groundbreaking”.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we submitted the original proposal, the bridge was designed to improve walking and cycling routes in the area,\u201d a spokesman said.<\/p>\n
“Network Rail also recognised that the existing Cradle Bridle level crossing \u2013 a gate over the rail line – could pose serious safety concerns if left as it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could not as a company let that happen and worked closely with Network Rail, ABC and Redrow [the housebuilder constructing Crown Hill View] to come up with a significantly lower cost alternative.<\/p>\n
The pedestrian crossing will now be replaced by the new footbridge<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an exemplar, groundbreaking, cost-effective solution that will provide a template for the railway network in other parts of the country where footbridges require replacement, or the safety of existing level crossings are a cause for concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also taken on board feedback on the previous scheme to deliver a slimmer, sleeker design that fits in better with the landscape and so will have less impact visually.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the most important factor with this project was improved public safety and that is what will be delivered.\u201d<\/p>\n
Network Rail said the original plans were \u201cnot deliverable due to costs\u201d.<\/p>\n
The original design for the footbridge. However, it was deemed \u201cnot deliverable due to costs\u201dCradle Bridge Crossing connects two housing estates \u2013\u00a0Crown Hill View and Conningbrook Lakes<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a public body, we have a responsibility to spend taxpayer money appropriately and effectively,\u201d a spokesman for Network Rail previously explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese new proposals are designed to produce a safer passage over the railway line.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to submitting these new designs, we conducted a disability impact assessment which ensures that all decisions, including the construction of footbridges, are made with consideration of accessibility and the needs of all individuals.”<\/p>\n
However, following approval, planning officers at ABC stated the new bridge will also need to have a wheeling ramp for construction to go ahead.<\/p>\n
This is a narrower ramp designed to help cyclists navigate steps or other obstacles by allowing them to wheel their bikes.<\/p>\n
It is not yet know when work will start on the new footbridge over the railway line planned for Kennington, Ashford.Cllr Linda Harman, of\u00a0Ashford Borough Council<\/p>\n
Cllr Linda Harman, ABC\u2019s cabinet member for planning, believes any footbridge will be a significant improvement on the existing crossing.<\/p>\n
The Ashford Independent representative for Saxon Shore ward said: “When I visited it, I was shocked such a crossing still exists.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very dangerous as it currently is, so this bridge will make it a lot safer between the two new developments.”<\/p>\n
Almost 30 residents had objected to the first application, claiming the original design was \u201ctotally inappropriate\u201d.<\/p>\n
The new application instead received five objections on ABC\u2019s planning portal, with comments such as the \u201cbridge is ugly\u201d and there is \u201cno need for it as there is an existing level crossing\u201d being made.<\/p>\n
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the <\/strong>Public Notice Portal<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nIt is not yet known when construction will start on the bridge.<\/p>\n
The first phase of Conningbrook Lakes, featuring 300 homes, has been completed with the second phase of 170 homes already approved.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Crown Hill View, also known locally as Large Burton, could eventually total 725 homes, as well as a primary school, Co-op store and new home for Ashford Town Bowls Club.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A \u201cgroundbreaking\u201d footbridge will be built over a \u201cdangerous” railway line after plans were given the green light…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":274376,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[605,51,728,609,495,12717,760,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-274375","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-ashford","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-environment","11":"tag-human-interest","12":"tag-kent","13":"tag-planning","14":"tag-traffic-and-travel","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114879215107004367","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/274376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}