The bridge thread. Yes another. Couldn't be arsed looking.

£9.7 million quid!!!!!!!!!! I hope it's coated in gold and diamond encrusted, with strobe lights and a topless waitress serving bar at pound a pint night. A fully functional open beer garden with free wi-fi and unlimited top ups of the drink of your choice.

Nearly 10 mill. The mind boggles. It's a metal bridge. Our army could rig one up overnight under heavy gun fire in a jungle. Somebody is having someone's pants down.

 

The designs I've seen it looks more like a tunnel with benches on it. More an extension of the glass works than a bridge. You won't even know it's a bridge.

 

I prefer my plans tbf.

 

The original Market Gate Bridge concept was more complex and expensive than the one they are doing now!
You have to view it as not just a bridge but a piece of architecture that is not only a bridge to cross a railway line but a focal point and a gateway to the new Glassworks/Market Square. I think it will transform the appearance of the approach to the town center from that direction.

 

Eloquently put .

 

It will. But the approach to the town from that direction on foot (this is a foot bridge) serves very few people. The people who live in the houses around the football ground. There are very few houses on Pontefract Road until you get to Lundwood and they won't be walking. They'll take the bus or the car for which you don't need that foot bridge.

The infrastructure we have now serves the small community on the other side of the railway line perfectly adequately. The only failing it has is for people walking to and from the football ground. They don't care how it looks.

 

A £10 million nod to Sir Houghton's ego.

 

I assume you're trying to be ironic....

 

But you still look at it, whether on foot, in a car, on a train whatever. How do you know they don't care how it looks?
It is exactly what the country (especially the North) is crying out for, investment in the infrastructure. Work for the manufacturing industry, can't fault it.

 

Can't be justified, think how many free school meals for the poorest families could be provided by £9.7 million....

 

Why would you think that?

 

I agree Jay. I live at Oakwell and have for 30 years. I don't give a shiny Sh174 what it looks like. The town centre is amazing. Better than I expected tbf.
I use the bridge at least a dozen times a week. I don't need a 10 mill bridge to do that. The footfall from our side of town is just locals from our area. There's very little parking on 'our side' for any visitor to warrant wanting to use it. Let's think again ..... £10,000,000 !!!!!!! The mind boggles.

 

Most of that would be taken in " management fees" by some Tory cronies.

 

My mind also boggles at the price of steel nowadays, really scary! There will be no thinking again that's one of the reasons for the delay that we've all been complaining about.

 

Isambard Kingdom Brunel got the same reaction on costs when he designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge (for example). Just saying like.

 

Seems the council can’t win here, put something up much cheaper that looks naff and it’s a case of cheapskate backwards looking council’ Pay more for something more pleasing on the eye that’s in keeping with the Town centre regeneration and it’s a case of ‘over exuberance’ by the council. Aren’t Network Rail or somebodyfooting the majority of the cost anyway

 

Few cars come up that way, the train goes underneath it. We need investment in the right areas.

 

A bit daft Shy Talk, a new bridge was required due to the changes in rules and bye laws surrounding Level crossings. So a new one had to be had as that route is now shut. The delays have been annoying for the town but every Civil engineering project has delays and increased costs,from the original plan. Why capital projects cost more in the UK than other parts of the world, I don't. Certainly, materials for construction cost more now due to import tariffs, since leaving the EU Trading area.
The bridge will be here longer than any elected politicians and will serve it's purpose. The council took some very brave decisions 10 years ago,ehich we are now seeing the benefits of as a town. Compared to neighbouring towns, Barnsley is looking and doing well, a pity that the people who live there,don't also see and appreciate it.
Apologies to you Shy Talk, if you were being facetious and having a laugh. I just get tired of people having a go at the town and its politicians all the time. I'm old and grumpy.

 

Do`nt forget there will need to be an unveiling of the Nudgers Bridge plaque.

 

That’s not how funding works I’m afraid!

Almost £7m towards the cost has been provided externally. £2m from Network Rail, and £4.8m from the Get Britain Building Transforming Cities Fund. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty confident neither of those would be willing to pay for free school meals.

The cost of materials is ridiculously high at the moment too which has added to the overall cost. Wait any longer and it could be even more expensive.