The installation of a new footbridge over the railway in Wokingham has been held back over a lack of disabled access.
Currently, the Tanhouse bridges are made up of a permanent concrete bridge and a temporary scaffold one, used as a pedestrian route between Wokingham Superbowl and the Ormonde Road and Latimer Road allotments.
Network Rail wanted to replace these with one consistent bridge that, according to its planning agent, would last 120 years.
Councillors on Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee refused to give consent for the bridge until some form of disabled access is considered.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey (Liberal Democrats, Emmbrook) argued that the bridge does not fit in with Network Rail’s own inclusive design standards.
She said: “It is therefore unclear why they would design a 21st Century bridge that only has stairs, as it excludes people with prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other mobility problems related to stairs.
“If the bridge was designed with ramps to meet the needs of the Equalities Act and Network Rail’s own standards it also would meet the needs of those with bicycles and other wheeled transport.
“This bridge can be modified to suit the needs of its neighbourhood.”
Alex Cran, from Wokingham active travel community hub (WATCH) said: “Wokingham is a victim of its own success as a great place to live with traffic and congestion becoming an increasing problem.
“One simple solution is to build safe, convenient routes into the town to encourage travel by foot and bicycle.
“The Tanhouse crossing would be the perfect place for a route like this, however the current bridge will stop this being a viable transit link for all but the most able.”
He added that it was “crazy” and “discriminatory” that such a bridge without ramps would be proposed.
A series of other issues were raised as well.
Cllr Shepherd-DuBey argued the suggestion to use perforated steel for the bridge would be problematic as it would be “extremely difficult” to clean graffiti off – something Wokingham Town clean-up crews do regularly at the existing bridges.
She also questioned whether there would be a timeline for construction and a plan put in place to divert people who use the current bridges.
A document submitted by Network Rail stated that pedestrians would have to follow a 13-minute walking diversion using Ormonde Road, Barkham Road and Wellington Road.
Cllr John Kaiser (Conservative, Barkham) proposed that the application be refused as it would have “denied human rights to the most disabled people in the borough under the Equalities Act.”
Following advice from officers, the council’s committee deferring a decision to allow Network Rail to consider a redesign to make the proposed bridge more accessible, which was agreed unanimously at a meeting on Wednesday, January 11.
The plan must now be decided by February 10.
You can view designs by typing reference 223493 into the council’s planning portal.
