£7 million scheme to replace Telford footbridge is unveiled

The "unique and iconic" bridge will be funded by the Department for Transport.

The existing foot and cycle bridge spans two lines of railway, the A442 and Rampart Way, which is part of the A5.

But it is steep and does not meet laws that require pathways to be accessible to the disabled.

A notice has been published in the European Journal describing the work, which must be published before the formal tender is launched in the autumn. That will allow work to take place in 2017, with the aim of completing it in early 2018.

The initial documents estimate that the work is worth about £7 million plus VAT, and will see the existing bridge demolished.

But the new bridge will be built at a slightly different angle to the existing one, meaning users will still be able to cross the busy roads during construction.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "We have worked hard to successfully secure the funding for this major project from the Department for Transport and we plan to replace the bridge with an attractive gateway to Telford.

"The new bridge will be designed to address the needs of all users and improve access for all."

Work to upgrade the town centre's transport infrastructure is already well under way, and has seen the Box Road made two-way, and will ultimately see Rampart Way and Hall Park Way becoming dual carriageways.

The footbridge links the existing footpath cycleway networks either side of the A442 and also provides the footbridge link between platforms at the station.

The council said the investment in the town centre is ultimately expected to deliver 2,000 new jobs and 4,000 homes.

The council also hopes to secure all the necessary consents for the project and to engage a contractor by the end of 2016 in order for construction to take place in 2017 and early 2018.

Public drop-in sessions will be scheduled shortly, when people will be able to see the designs for the bridge.