More than 1,000 extra daily journeys on York's new Scarborough Bridge
29 May 2019
More than 4,000 trips by people travelling on foot or by bike have been made on the new Scarborough Bridge every day since it reopened following a £4.4m upgrade.
This is already an increase of 1,000 extra journeys on the average 3,000 daily crossings on the old footbridge.
The new accessible bridge has been delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through its £60m City Connect programme, aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and walk, City of York Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER EP).
Although the bridge is now open to the public, work will continue to complete sections of the ramps, install the permanent handrail and install new lighting.
The new steps to the riverside are open for public use in an interim state, with the final Yorkstone finish and permanent handrail to be installed in the next two weeks.
The bridge and ramps remain open to the public at all times, although the public are reminded that direct access into the station remains - as it was before the upgrade - closed between 10.30pm and 5.30am.
The £4.4m project has been funded by a £1.9m grant through the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, a £1.5m Local Growth Fund secured by YNYER and £1m of City of York Council funds.
Councillor Kim Groves, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with City of York Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership on this important scheme to improve access between the train station and city centre, benefitting residents, commuters and tourists travelling by bike or on foot and, importantly, people with mobility issues.
“It’s fantastic to see that this is already making a difference for people in York and those who are visiting the city, as shown by the significant increase in journeys being made over Scarborough Bridge.”
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport for City of York Council, said: “It’s great to see the new Scarborough Bridge footbridge so well used and well-received, with residents and visitors taking immediate advantage of step-free, car-free routes through our city.
“We’re going to make this route even more accessible, with another £300,000 secured to improve the paths and a crossing over Bootham to link all the way to the hospital.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved with the construction of the bridge for their work over the past months, and all the local residents and regular users for bearing with us during this period.”
David. A. Kerfoot MBE DL, Chair of York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, said: “The increased number of users of Scarborough Bridge, even prior to completion, is cause for celebration. This bridge is at the heart of York's aspirations for accessible and sustainable transport for residents, commuters and visitors alike. We hope it will continue to play a role as a footprint for these principles throughout the whole York Central development.”
At 65-metres long the new bridge is three times as wide at 3.7metres, increasing access to more people and the new ramps and steps mean that it is accessible even at times that the river is in flood.
The new bridge is constructed of weathering steel – the same as Gateshead’s famous statue, The Angel of the North.
Find out more information about the Scarborough Bridge scheme.
In March, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and City of York Council were awarded £300,000 from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. to make further improvements to cycle and walkways between Scarborough Bridge, York railway station and the city centre.
These improvements will include:
- an enhanced crossing of Bootham linking into the cycle route through to the district hospital;
- improving the riverside cycle route on the Esplanade side of the river;
- replacing the steps from St Mary’s to Marygate Lane with a ramp.