WHTAG/WPC/LSPC/01/01 February 2018 To: Parish Council Limpley Stoke Parish Council WINSLEY HILL BRIDGE - PROPOSAL FOR PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE PURPOSE OF THE PAPER The purpose of this paper is to summarise the result of an investigation into the need for and the viability of installing a pedestrian bridge parallel to Bridge No 175 that crosses the on Winsley Hill and seek support of Winsley Parish Council and Limpley Stoke Parish Council for launching a project to install such a bridge. BACKGROUND The B3108 road runs west from Bradford on Avon to Bath, and connects the villages of Winsley and Limpley Stoke. The B3108 is a short cut from Bath into northern , bypassing the A4 further north. However, for that to work most people leave Bath on either Bathwick or Widcombe Hill, and then descend Brassknocker Hill. From the set of traffic lights on the A36 the road leads to Limpley Stoke but then turns sharp left, under the railway, over the river and then starts the ascent of Winsley Hill, almost immediately crossing the Canal too. The clearance under the railway bridge (3.6M) restricts Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) from using this route. Hence the number of HGV in the AADF figure is relatively low. Although categorised a ‘B’ road and hence under the control of rather than Highways , it is a busy road that feeds commuters and visitors to Bath and onwards from various towns to the east, such as Trowbridge and , as well as Bradford on Avon. Further housing developments in those towns to meet Wiltshire’s housing requirements defined in the Wiltshire Core Strategy, are likely to add to the volume of traffic using the B3108. In comparison with other roads in the area the B3108 takes 6913 vehicles per day, whereas the A36 (Limpley Stoke Hill) takes 12914 and the A363 (Sally in the Woods) takes 8693 vehicles per day. (All AADF figures. 2016 DfT). The A36 is part of the England’s strategic road network and the A363 is part of England’s main road network. Although the figure for the B3108 is lower than either the A36 or the A363, they are significant, which coupled with traffic issues such as excess speed represents a significant risk to the community. The B3108 crosses the Kennet and Avon canal at Bridge No 175, approximately 1.6 km west of Winsley and 2/3rds of the way down Winsley Hill. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two vehicles passing side by side but there is neither a pathway nor sufficient space for pedestrians to cross the bridge on the roadway while two vehicles are passing on the bridge. On the east side of the bridge (Winsley direction) there is a pathway on the north side of the road although it finishes 18 m before the bridge. Up to that point the pathway is separated from the eastbound (uphill) traffic by a grass verge. Occasionally, vehicles block the footpath by parking and straddling the verge. This is a traffic violation but is regarded as low priority by the local police. When that happens to approach the bridge from the east, pedestrians must step into the road. To the west of the bridge (Bath direction), the pathway is very often blocked by parked vehicles. These vehicles appear to belong to ‘live aboard’ canal users, people using the canal for recreation purposes (walkers and cyclists) and others visiting the heritage sites at Dundas viaduct and at Avoncliff

1 viaduct. The towpath along the canal between Bath and Bradford on Avon forms part of National Cycle Network Route No 4, which runs from London to Fishguard. In recent years, works to add a pathway under the railway bridge and works to put a pathway along the road from the railway bridge towards the Hop Pole pub in Limpley Stoke have been undertaken by Wiltshire Council. The flow of traffic under the railway bridge is controlled by road markings (traffic heading east is supposed to give way to traffic heading towards Bath). Although traffic heading towards Limpley Stoke from the railway junction is expected to ‘give way’ to traffic from the opposite direction, vehicles mount the pathway between the railway bridge and the Hop Pole pub to allow oncoming traffic to pass. Nevertheless, both measures do go some way to safeguarding pedestrians walking between Limpley Stoke towards the canal and onwards towards Winsley. The absence of any means of separating traffic from pedestrians approaching and then crossing the Kennet and Avon canal on Winsley Hill is a gap in provision and represents a major safety risk to all pedestrians. For those walking the route who have mobility issues and/or visual and audio impairment, as well as those accompanied by young children either walking alongside adults or in a pushchair. Moreover, when traffic flow is impeded because of vehicles giving way to pedestrians crossing the bridge etc, there is a reduction in fuel efficiency for those vehicles as they must restart their ascent of Winsley Hill. Although this is unlikely to have a significant effect on air quality in the area, the potential effect on pedestrians walking alongside traffic that is restarting after giving way, is a serious issue. As part of Winsley Parish Council’s work to develop a Neighbourhood Plan, in 2013/2014, it surveyed the community to determine key issues. Although the Neighbourhood Plan was abandoned, the outcome of the survey was used to set priorities for work in the community. Traffics issues related to the B3108 were identified as serious concern and consequently the Parish Council has led work to improve safety along the B3108. Rcently the Parish Council responded to Winsley Hill Traffic Action Group’s request for assistance in dealing with both speed and safety issues related to traffic using Winsley Hill and has sponsored the development of plans for an interim solution that will identify to traffic the risk of encountering pedestrians on the bridge and by using road markings define a ‘safe haven’ for pedestrians. The topographical survey instigated by Wiltshire Council on behalf of the Parish Council is awaited (Wiltshire Council advised it would be completed by end of January 2018). METHOD This proposal was developed post a review of local circumstances and solutions to similar that are already in place across both Wiltshire and the UK. Where appropriate, development of this proposal has been supported by meetings with individuals from organisations identified as potential stakeholders. The outcome of those meetings are summarised in this paper. Likely costs of installing a pedestrian bridge and timescale are also presented. LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES Between 2014 and 2015 there was a 6.5% increase in traffic along the B3108 (Winsley). That increase is based on the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF), which is defined as ‘the average over a full year of the number of vehicles passing a point in the road network each day’. During the same period the traffic volumes on the A36 and A363 both increased by 0.17% and 0.36% respectively. Of the traffic that travelled along the B3108 in 2015, 0.8% was HGV, whereas the comparable figures for the A36 and A363 were 4% and 3%. Interestingly, during 2015 using the

2 AADF figures the proportion of cyclists using the B3108 was 1.4% of AADF, whereas the figure for the A36 was 0.09% and for the A363 the figure was 0.06%. The volume of traffic is expected to increase as housing developments in Bradford, Trowbridge and Melksham are completed. At peak times this will result in traffic queuing onto bridge no 175, while waiting for the traffic lights on the A36 to change. Although Winsley Parish Council has instigated work in conjunction with Wiltshire Council, to mark- out a haven for pedestrians on the road surface over the bridge, the solution still provides no protection to pedestrians from other road users. During initial consultation with the unitary authority, it was made clear to both WHTAG and Parish Council representatives that a physical solution that reduced the width of the carriageway and incorporated a raised pathway on the bridge, could not be installed. Reasons for discounting this course of action included the fact the ‘sight line’ for vehicles approaching the bridge from the east (Winsley) was insufficient and that the bridge parapet would have to be raised to 1.2M above the surface of the pathway. Currently, the parapet is 06.5M above the surface of the roadway. Hence the bride would have to be modified significantly. Moreover, restricting the width of the carriageway would lead to the traffic slowing, occasionally stopping and then starting again, ultimately reduced vehicle performance in terms of fuel consumption and exacerbating air quality issues in the area surrounding the bridge. Furthermore, this solution would still leave a gap between the bridge and the start of the segregated footpath (see Figure 1).

37 Metres 5.9 Metres 8.50M

Grassed Verge

2.1 Metres Footpath Grassed Verge B3108 To Bradford

One Metre

Rough Stone Wall Cemented Top Dressed Stone Parapets

Steep Slope (Clear of Vegetation) Grassed Verge

Access Lane to Towpath 8.6 Metres Timothy Rise Farm Grassed Verge

5.5 Meters 3.3 Metres 1.3 Metres

Kennet and Avon Canal Pasture Land (Conkwell Grange)

Vegetation BT Cabling 4 Metres (Comprising ash trees and scrub) Access Point

8 Metres

3M Access Grassed Gate Verge

Grassed Verge

Hedge

Figure 1 – Schematic of Current Layout of Bridge and Road at Bridge 175 Kennet and Avon Canal CASE STUDIES Examples of pedestrian bridges installed parallel to road bridges crossing the Kennet & Avon Canal have been identified at Hilperton, outside of Trowbridge and at Bradford on Avon. Bradford on Avon (Widbrook). Bridge No 170) carries the A363 across the Kennet and Avon canal at Widbrook. A pedestrian bridge is positioned alongside this bridge. It allows both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the canal without getting caught up with vehicle traffic. Road bridge is set an angle to the roadway, which provides greater risk for collision as vehicles pass side by side across the bridge. The AADF figure for this section of the A363 is 10 411 vehicles per day. Hilperton. Bridge No 166 carries the B3105 over the Kennet and Avon canal at Hilperton to the west of Trowbridge. There is a pedestrian bridge set alongside the road bridge, which is as similar design to the one at Bradford on Avon. The bridge connects Staverton with Hilperton and then onto Trowbridge. There is no traffic data for this stretch of road although it is a main HGV route into Trowbridge, providing a direct link to the cereal factory

3 at Staverton and the Canal Road Trading Estate that is located on the north of Trowbridge. OTHER EXAMPLES ON CANAL AND RIVER TRUST NETWORK Crick. Crick is a village in the Daventry district of the county of Northamptonshire in England. It is close to the border with Warwickshire, 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Rugby and 14 miles (23 km) north-west of Northampton. Crick's population in the 2011 census was 1,886. The Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal passes just east of Crick. The A28 crosses the Grand Union Canal at that point. There was only a 2-foot-wide pathway on the road bridge crossing the Grand Union Canal and hence the Parish Council instigated a campaign to install a pedestrian bridge parallel with the road bridge. See figure 2. Residents of Crick raised £250,000 for the installation of a bridge, raised money from both public and private sources.

Figure 2 – Crick (Northamptonshire) Parallel Pedestrian Bridge OTHER CASE STUDIES . In September 2005, a pedestrian bridge was installed across the By Brook near Bathford. (See Figure 3). The pedestrian bridge runs parallel with the A363. This example formed the basis of the costings in preparing this paper. The bridge is 17.5M long and 2M wide between the parapets. The parapets are 1.15M high. Although the bridge appears to be made of wood, it is made from steel universal beams and was manufactured by CTS Bridges in Huddersfield. The cost of a similar bridge (design, manufacture and delivery to site) would be £30 000 + VAT.

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Figure 3 – Bathford Pedestrian Bridge Installation September 2005 Meetings. During this investigation representatives of the combined WHTAG/Winsley Parish Council working group met with representatives from the following organisations - The Canal and River Trust (CRT), Wiltshire Council and Conkwell Grange Racing Stables. Canal and River Trust. Representatives met onsite with a representative of the CRT on 26 October. The CRT representative recognised the safety concerns, which were like those encountered by other communities across the country and were supportive of the proposal to build a pedestrian footbridge parallel with the road bridge over the canal but highlighted various constraints/restrictions. The Bridge is Grade II listed and importantly the design of a pedestrian bridge would have to fit with the design/aesthetics of the extant bridge, could not be lower than the current height of the bridge above the surface of the canal and would have to be far enough away from the extant bridge so that the existing bridge can be maintained easily. A scheme to install a pedestrian bridge parallel with the road bridge would have to be registered with the CRT, which would result in costs, but follow-on engineering/design advice input would be provided free of charge to a community group. Crucially, approval for building on land managed by the CRT would have to be sought from the Secretary of State. It is unlikely that the requirement would be turned down bearing in mind the safety considerations of the case. Wiltshire Council. Representatives from WHTAG/Winsley Parish Council met with the leader of Wiltshire Council’s Technical Approval Authority (Bridges) - Wiltshire Highway Structures Team on site on 27 November. The Technical Authority also recognised the safety concerns and supported the proposal. They provided useful design guidance and stated that the Council’s preference in terms of manufacturer/bridge supplier was CTS. The steel structure is more durable and easier to maintain. If the project was to move forward

5 under the aegis of the WHTAG/Winsley Parish Council some engineering/surveying costs etc would be covered by the Unitary Authority. Note a private developer would be expected to pay full costs. The bridge would require planning permission and would have to be sufficiently far from the road bridge to allow maintenance of that structure. Conkwell Grange Racing Stables. Conkwell Grange Racing Stables were approached as part of this process to explore whether the organisation would provide access to a new bridge across their land. Representatives met with the proprietor onsite and explored various options including one to extend provision of a footpath from where it ‘runs out’ on the east side of the bridge to a new pedestrian bridge. The proprietor was supportive of this option asking that the new field side side fencing was ‘horse proof’ and incorporate a new gateway that improve access to the field.

Proposal. The outcome of this investigation is to instigate a campaign to provide a safer and easier pedestrian link between the communities of Limpley Stoke and Winsley through the installation of a pedestrian bridge parallel with RCT Bridge No175 that straddles the Kennet and Avon Canal on Winsley Hill (See Figure 4). This would reduce significantly the risk to all road users crossing the canal bridge and improve access to a key leisure facility in the area. Winsley Hill Traffic Action Group is prepared to take on the lead role regarding this project but seeks Winsley Parish Council’s and Limpley Stoke Parish Council’s support for the project.

37 Metres 5.9 Metres 8.50M

Grassed Verge

2.1 Metres Footpath Modified Rough Stone Wall Grassed Verge Cemented Top B3108 To Bradford Proposed Footpath

One Metre

Dressed Stone Parapets

Proposed New Footbridge Grassed Verge

New Rough Stone Wall Access Lane to Towpath 8.6 Metres Cemented Top Timothy Rise Farm Grassed Verge

5.5 Meters 3.3 Metres 1.3 Metres

Kennet and Avon Canal Pasture Land (Conkwell Grange)

Vegetation BT Cabling 4 Metres (Comprising ash trees and scrub) Access Point

8 Metres

3M Access Grassed Gate Verge

Grassed Verge

Hedge

Figure 4 - Proposed Pedestrian Bridge (Kennet & Avon Canal No 175)

Funding. In the current economic climate, it is recognised that it is unlikely that the funding for the project would come entirely from the public purse. Hence, it is the intention of WHTAG to undertake fund raising from both individuals and corporate donors, as well as public means. The Action Group has been given permission to make use of the Grantfinder service accessed via Bradford on Avon Town Council. It is recognised that a legal framework needs to be in place in order to secure a bank account and the confidence of donors. This may be in terms of a trust or company limited by guarantee. In addition, the Group intends to explore the possibility of securing charitable status to maximise tax advantages in the form of GIFT AID. In both areas, the Group will be seeking further advice.

6 Timetable. Based on analysis of the case studies and advice provided by experts it is suggested that a stretch target for installation of a pedestrian bridge is 1½ years (hard target 2 years). Activities that would have to be done would include project definition, initial and detailed design, seeking planning permission, fundraising, installation and commissioning. Governance/Stakeholders. Key stakeholders would include WHTAG, Winsley Parish Council and Limpley Stoke Parish Council (internal stakeholders) plus Wiltshire Council, the Canal and River Trust and local landowners. Resources. Resources required to take forward the project would hopefully come from WHTAG, as well as Winsley and Limpley Stoke Parish councils. Expertise in the fields of surveying and civil and structural engineering would be sought from the local communities, backed up by contracted expertise where necessary. Issues and Risks. Issues and risks to this project already identified include title of bridge and subsequent through life maintenance of the bridge. It is proposed that the project team will draw- up a risk register and use it to manage priorities and risks.

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