New footbridge installed at Bicester in ‘railway first’

Network Rail has installed an ingenious and virtually maintenance free new footbridge near Bicester making the crossing safer for both pedestrians and cyclists

The innovative new footbridge is made from a super-strong fibre-reinforced plastic and is the very first of its kind to be constructed and installed by Network Rail.

The incredible material is hard-wearing to weather and requires very little maintenance when compared to traditional steel and concrete bridges of the past. 

The new footbridge is a replacement for the Jarvis Lane footpath level crossing and is the first to be opened as part of the East-West Rail project which, once finished, will connect Bicester to both Bletchley and Milton Keynes for the first time in half a century.

The project will bring a direct connection between Oxford and Cambridge and will support communities throughout the area by providing faster journey times with lower transportation costs, which will impact on local roads by reducing road usage.

Along with installing the new footbridge, paths have also been resurfaced with new footpath signs being added. 

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The bridge also includes steel channels running at the side of the staircases, which will enable bicycle users to walk their bikes over the bridge instead of being carried.

The new footbridge means that the pedestrian level crossing at Jarvis Lane is now closed and is part of Network Rail’s commitment to eliminate safety risks by taking out level crossings where it is possible to do so and bring forward a safer railway for the future.

Mark Cuzner, East West Rail Alliance project director, said: “Building a new railway is extremely exciting and it’s only right that East West Rail uses the latest materials and technology to get the job done.

“Most importantly, replacing Jarvis Lane level crossing with this new footbridge will make crossing the tracks safer for cyclists and pedestrians now, as well as saving money on costly maintenance in the future. The opening of this footbridge also reinstates the public right of way over the railway benefitting both local people and businesses in the town.

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