Plans for a bridge that will provide a safe and secure link for pedestrians and cyclists from Central Park to Darlington Railway Station have been submitted.
The bridge will connect Central Park from the Business Central building to Adelaide Street, which leads to the rear entrance of the station via the existing bridge.
Improvements will also be made to Adelaide Street as part of the project, removing an unsightly wall to create a landscaped area and wider footpath. Traffic calming and new street lighting will also be introduced to make a safer route for both cyclists and pedestrians.
The project forms part of the Sustainable Access to Employment programme which the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is funding. The initial feasibility and outline design had been funded from Darlington Borough Council’s Local Transport Plan
Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet member for Leisure and Local Environment, said:
“This is an exciting step in the Central Park journey. The new bridge will provide a quick and safe route between Central Park and Darlington Station, avoiding the need to cross the busy Parkgate road.
“The walking and cycling routes continue through Central Park to Darlington College, Teesside University and beyond to the cycle route alongside Haughton Road.
“The work we are doing to Adelaide Street will improve the area and link to future changes that are being developed for the railway station.”
The bridge has been designed to fit in with the Parkgate Conservation Area and its industrial heritage.
Work on the bridge and improvements to Adelaide Street are expected to begin next year, subject to funding and planning consent.
Talks are underway with Virgin Trains East Coast, which runs Darlington Station, to make improvements to the existing footbridge.
You can view and comment on the planning application at http://msp.darlington.gov.uk/Planning/lg/GFPlanningWelcome.page and insert application reference number 17/00915/DC