Benefits of the bridge

The bridge is fully accessible with lifts at both ends. Cyclists can take their bikes into the lifts, or walk them up the steps using the cycle wheel groove. It also opens up more active travel routes into the town centre, the Metrodome and to Barnsley Football Club.

The improved connectivity will also benefit the planned youth zone and youth activity park next to the interchange, as well as The Seam nearby.

Background

The former Jumble Lane level crossing was closed as part of Network Rail’s Level Crossing Risk Reduction Programme. The aim of this work was to close level crossings where possible, to remove the risk to the national rail network. Network Rail has contributed £2 million to the bridge.

This funding would have allowed the construction of a basic, functional footbridge over the railway. However, the council decided to explore more funding opportunities and to include it as part of the wider town centre regeneration. This allowed the construction of a more ambitious design which compliments The Glass Works.

Investment

Market Gate Bridge represents a major investment backed by Network Rail and the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA). It was vital that the new bridge is of as high a quality as The Glass Works.

The construction of the bridge alone cost just under £8 million. Associated costs including professional fees and legal costs, design work, landscaping, charges from Network Rail for access over their line, and unexpected gas diversion work, took the total bridge-related costs to £11.2 million.

A further £1.8 million has been invested as part of the wider project in other improvements around the bridge, including new paving and public realm works, improved street lighting, highway works, as well as a sewer diversion required in Market Gate Car Park. SYMCA contributed £8.9 million from the Accelerated South Yorkshire Renewal Fund, their Recycled local growth fund, their Get Britain Building and Transforming Cities Funds. In addition, Network Rail contributed £2 million.

Contractors

The bridge was designed by architects from IBI Group with structural engineering from Waterman Group. It was constructed by engineering specialist Keltbray.

Barnsley FC matchdays

Market Gate Bridge is open on Barnsley FC home match days.

There are limited road closures following each home game. This helps provide a ‘safe corridor’ for fans walking in large numbers and higher density down Bala Street and directly across Pontefract Road towards the bridge.

The road closures will be implemented around 15 minutes before the end of matches and last for around half an hour after the end of the match depending on the number of fans attending. 

The expected timings of the closures are from 15 minutes prior to the game ending and are detailed below for standard kick off times. These assume that games start on time and run for 90 minutes, with a 15 minute halftime.

• For a 3pm kick off, closures will be in place from around 4.30pm until 5.15pm (varying depending on stoppage time or any extra time)
  
  
• For a 7.45pm kick off, will be in place from around 9.15pm until 10pm (varying depending on stoppage time or any extra time)

The current arrangements are:

Pedestrian access

No restrictions, however in the period following fixtures pedestrian traffic towards The Glass Works across the bridge will be heavy, and those travelling towards Pontefract Road/Market Gate Car Park should consider this and plan their journey accordingly.

Road closures

• Closure of both Harborough Hill exit slip roads.
  
  
• Closure of Pontefract Road in both directions beneath the Harborough Hill flyover.
  
  
• Closure of Queens Road – traffic leaving the Metrodome/Queens Ground will be held at the junction of Queens Road and the Harborough Hill exit slip road.  This closure is necessary to protect pedestrians at the junction of Bala Street/Harborough Hill exit slip road and Pontefract Road as fans exit Bala Street.  
  
  
• Closure of Bala Street with no right turn from Pontefract Road.  This closure is necessary to protect pedestrians on Bala Street.  
  
  
• Emergency services vehicle access will be managed as necessary when responding to incidents.

Road restrictions

• No access to Kendray Street from Pontefract Road (access from Schwabisch Gmund Way is unaffected).
  
  
• No access to Schwäbisch Gmund Way from Kendray Street (access from Eldon Street North is unaffected).
  
  
• Left turn only after exiting Buzz Bingo with all traffic having to join Harborough Hill via the entry slip road.
  
  
• Emergency services vehicle access will be managed as necessary when/for responding to incidents.

Access routes and information for businesses and communities

• Metrodome, Queens Road, Queens Ground and Bala Street: Access and egress will be unaffected before and during games, up until 15 minutes before the end of fixtures. There will be no access or egress to/via/from Queens Road or Bala Street for around 30 minutes following the end of fixtures.
  
  
• Buzz Bingo: Access is maintained at all times via Eldon Street North and Schwabisch Gmund Way. Egress is unaffected, however during the road closure periods highlighted above, it will be left turn only after exiting the car park. All traffic will have to join Harborough Hill Road via the entry slip road with downhill access only towards the Asda gyratory.
  
  
• Smarttrax (Mottram Way, S71 1BH): Access and egress will be maintained from Eldon Street North/Schwäbisch Gmund Way at all times.
  
  
• Mottram Street: Access and egress will be maintained from Eldon Street North/Schwäbisch Gmund Way at all times.
  
  
• Transport Interchange: Access and egress will be maintained from Eldon Street North/Schwäbisch Gmund Way at all times. Vehicles will be able to turn left or right on exit from the Interchange car park on Schwäbisch Gmund Way.

The road closures are the same for all games. The wider measures which were in place temporarily following the closure of Jumble Lane are no longer necessary, unless required by South Yorkshire Police as part of their match planning for individual fixtures.

We'll monitor all the road closures and will remove all closures as early as can be done safely. If you've any questions please email matchdays@barnsley.gov.uk.

Why did the old level crossing have to close?

The former Jumble Lane level crossing was closed as part of Network Rail’s Level Crossing Risk Reduction Programme. The aim of this work was to close level crossings where possible, to remove the risk to the national rail network. This programme was funded until March 2019 and the crossing had to be closed by this date to qualify for Network Rail’s investment of £2 million. This is why a temporary bridge was installed in 2019, so the level crossing could be closed before the funding deadline.

Why wasn’t this new bridge built sooner?

There was a delay to the start of this project due to several issues including sewer diversion work and the process of appointing a contractor. We identified a preferred contractor after a lengthy tender process. However, we identified some concerns about their financial viability when completing due diligence checks.

Our teams spent months negotiating with the contractor to build safeguards into the contract. This would have made sure the council and investments were protected if the firm ran into difficulties. After months of hard work, a position was agreed in July 2021 which protected the council and allowed work to begin.

This was finally signed by the contractor on 30 September 2021, but the firm fell into administration just four days later. It then took several months to novate the contract to an alternative contractor in Keltbray.

Construction off-site began in February 2022 and on-site work began in July 2022.

Where did the funding come from?

The majority of the funding has come from external sources. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) contributed £8.9 million from the Accelerated South Yorkshire Renewal Fund and their Get Britain Building and Transforming Cities Funds.

In addition, Network Rail provided £2 million.

Is the bridge open 24 hours a day?

Yes. The bridge is open all day, all year round, and is well lit and covered by CCTV cameras.

Can I cycle over the bridge?

Cyclists can take their bikes into the lifts, or walk them up the steps using a cycle wheel groove built into the bridge.

Are the lifts accessible to all?

The lifts provide a level platform at both ends of the bridge for pedestrians and any users of pushchairs, wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This provides step-free access between the street level and the bridge deck, 24 hours a day.

Is the bridge deck suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues?

The bridge is designed with a slight camber, no steeper than 1:25, which would be comfortable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues.

What provision is made for visually impaired people?

Tactile surfacing is used at both street-level and on the bridge deck upon approach to the steps, lifts, and cable housings. The handrails, walkways, steps and nosings are all of an appropriate contrasting colour to the bridge structure to aid those with visual impairment.