Residents of Rose Lane in Church Fenton are urging Network Rail to halt plans to demolish the existing pedestrian footbridge before a new road bridge, that will replace it, is ready to use.
Network Rail says the “Arrangement is temporary“ It will last from November 21 to December 12. Provision is being made for 999 and delivery vehicles too.
The works form part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a major infrastructure project designed to modernise and electrify the rail line between Manchester, Leeds and York.
Local residents, who have to cross the Leeds line, say they have been broadly supportive of the project and have cooperated with Network Rail throughout, despite the disruption caused by years of construction in and around the village and directly next to their homes.
However, they say they have now been informed by Network Rail staff that the footbridge, their only pedestrian link over the railway, is scheduled for demolition before the replacement road bridge is open.
This change would temporarily but significantly affect both pedestrian and vehicle access to Rose Lane, they say.
At present, access to the street is maintained via the staffed level crossing and the footbridge. Under the revised sequencing, once the footbridge is removed, all movement in and out of Rose Lane, they claimed, would depend entirely on the level crossing, where waiting times are expected to increase from three to five minutes per train movement.
Given that more than 100 trains pass through the section daily, this would, they argue, create long and unpredictable delays for homeowners, carers, delivery drivers and, most critically, emergency services.
Shaun Sandison, Rose Lane resident told YorkMix: “Removing the bridge before the new one opens will effectively isolate part of the community and create unnecessary risks for elderly and vulnerable residents.”
The residents are calling on Network Rail to pause the demolition immediately.
Adam Sellers, Senior Sponsor for the TransPennine Route Upgrade said: “We’re in contact with local residents and want to reassure people that access across the railway will remain in place, 24-hours a day, while we carry out these essential upgrades.
“The level crossing will stay open for vehicles and pedestrians, safely operated by our crossing keepers, while delivery and utility vehicles will be safely guided through an active worksite via the new highway bridge.
“This arrangement is temporary, lasting only (from Nov 21) until 12 December 2025 when the work will be complete. The emergency services have been fully briefed on how to access local properties during this period.”
“We have adapted our approach following challenging ground conditions and adverse weather, but are now back on track.
“The existing footbridge must be removed as it’s too narrow for the additional track and too low for the imminent electrification of the line. These improvements are vital to delivering faster, more frequent and greener journeys between York and Leeds.”
“We’ll continue to engage with residents as the work progresses and would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and support during this time.”
However, Bethan Dall, who lives down the lane was not happy with the response and told YorkMix: “Redirecting emergency vehicles on an unfinished, un-tarmacked road, currently blocked off to residents, doesn’t seem a satisfactory solution if there is a crisis.
“While we will have to allow more travel time, some of our children use train travel to get to school. Some have exams this year. If they miss a train due to unclear waiting times, they could have to wait another hour for the next one.
“If Network Rail could just progress this work in the way they have pledged to do, time and again, it would take a lot of worry out of this for us.
“It is obvious…build the roadbridge before you remove pedestrian access”
