Parkgate Footbridge Feasibility Study

THE CHALLENGE

Darlington Borough Council (DBC) wished to investigate the potential for a footbridge/cycleway link to the proposed Central Park Development site to the north of Parkgate in Darlington.

The scheme would create a link between Darlington Railway Station and the new Central Park Development and would significantly improve the current access where local streets and uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points are utilised on a major arterial route through Darlington Town Centre.

SYSTRA’S ROLE

SYSTRA were appointed to undertake the feasibility study for the proposed footbridge/cycleway link. As two of the proposed options required either the use of the existing Network Rail Bridge or adjacent Network Rail land, consultation with Network Rail was an essential part of this study.

The presence of Network Rail owned retaining walls at both abutments which could not take any additional load from the proposed structure meant that a bored pile solution would be required for the foundations.

As part of the advanced works for the proposed footbridge, SYSTRA specified and procured a ground investigation to inform the design of the proposed abutments.