A plan to demolish a footbridge over Scarborough's North Bay Railway has hit the buffers after planning permission for the demolition was refused.
The bridge near Northstead Manor Gardens has been out of use for two years over safety concerns.
But yesterday councillors on the planning committee voted to reject a plan that would have seen the bridge removed and the nearby level crossing enhanced.
Councillor Bill Chatt says the bridge is needed.
The footbridge dates from the 1960s and provided a pedestrian link between the seafront from the area often referred to as 'the bulge' and Burniston Road. It is close to the point where a pedestrian route through Northstead Manor Gardens and the Open Air Theatre emerge onto the seafront. On the inland side of the bridge a path leads up a hill to the south of the Alpamare Water Park. There are also other paths
leading across area of public open space through to residential development off Green Howards Drive.
The bridge was closed for public access in 2020 after a bridge inspection report highlighted severe defects to the concrete structure and the steel balustrade. It concluded that the bridge is in very poor condition and significant repairs are necessary. Further investigation was undertaken to establish why its condition had deteriorated so quickly when a design life of 100 years would be expected. This found the most likely causes to be poor construction and proximity to the sea. The documents also explain the cost implications of replacement, although this would principally be a matter for the Council as landowner rather than being a planning consideration.
The application for planning permission proposed the removal of a pedestrian footbridge close to the North Bay Promenade. It crosses the North Bay miniature railway approximately halfway between the Sands Development and the Sea Life Centre.
It was previously considered by Planning Committee in January 2022 when it was resolved to defer a decision on the application. Subsequently, the applicant was requested to explore the option of repairing and reopening and/or to provide additional information to address concerns raised by Members but the application returned to the planning Committee yesterday for a decision as originally submitted.
There is a level crossing point across the railway 160m to the north of the bridge and as part of the demolition plans it was proposed that this would be the sole rail crossing point for pedestrians. It was intended to modify the 3.5m wide level crossing as follows:
- Re-alignment of the gates and fencing at the crossing, to provide more space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, increasing the width from 1.2m to 2.0m.
- Replacing timber board decking across the track to that of a slip resistant concrete surface.
- Application of yellow lining to the crossing perimeter to aid the visually impaired.
- Clearer signage to identify the crossing point from the bridge position.
Councillor Rich Maw thinks demolishing the bridge is not the solution and feels other options should be looked at including the possibility of making the footbridge a public right of way.
North Bay Miniature Railway confirmed that the omission of the bridge would not adversely impact on their business, although it was inferred, that additional foot traffic over the existing level crossing would arise. Any changes to the level crossing would require additional permission from the Office for Rail Regulation. Any changes to public rights of way would require input from the County Council.
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