Sheffield Forgemasters submit plans for new footbridge
Published: 18 July 2022Sheffield Forgemasters has submitted plans for a new footbridge to link two parts of its operations.
The proposed footbridge over Brightside Lane would help to reduce the number of pedestrians crossing the road at the Hawke Street/Upwell Street roundabout.
It will join Sheffield Forgemasters' gates one and two and provide a safe crossing for personnel, many of whom are involved in the company's £400m recapitalisation programme.
Sitting around 75 metres from the Hawke Street roundabout, the footbridge will carry Sheffield Forgemasters' branding and will become a landmark for motorists travelling towards Meadowhall. It could also reduce traffic congestion by removing the need for site personnel to use the pedestrian crossings.
Michael Channer, site project engineering manager, said: "We have submitted a planning proposal for a second footbridge linking the two parts of Sheffield Forgemasters' operations across Brightside Lane.
"The bridge will allow staff, contractors and visitors to the site to cross safely between security gates one and two, without the need to use several pedestrian crossings at the Hawke Street roundabout to navigate their way across Brightside Lane.
"This will significantly improve safety measures on a busy road and should go some way to improving traffic flow by reducing the number of crossings that are made daily as people transition through our site."
The footbridge is due to be installed in September and will have a 20-metre span and will be 6.5 metres in height, manufactured to look similar to the existing black footbridge, which links the site near to Jessops Riverside commercial estate.
LED lighting will light the footway for safety in the evenings and the bridge will be accessed via two security enclosed stairwells located within Sheffield Forgemasters' car parks adjacent to the Vickers building on the north side and close to the Scorpion sculpture on the south side.