Haines Bridge

 How can Haines Bridge be made safer for pedestrians?

It has been observed that Haines Bridge, which carries the Queen’s Road over the railway, puts pedestrians at risk since the bridge is so narrow. This leads to restricted width lanes for vehicles and thin strips of pavements. Queen’s Road is a busy main road and, if pedestrians coming from different directions have to cross on the pavements, it makes it very challenging for people to pass; this is particularly difficult for people with child buggies. 

A local resident also pointed out that the parapets are below regulation height. Ashley investigated and asked Network Rail to ensure that parapet alterations would be in the coming year’s budget. They have now informed us that they plan to install caging over the pavements. 

However, we have suggested that a longer-term solution of a new parallel pedestrian bridge should be investigated. While it is acknowledged that this would be expensive, this would make it safer for pedestrians and without widening the bridge itself. 

Here are a couple of examples that have been implemented elsewhere and could be used for inspiration.

1. A bridge in Florida: 
2. The Clifton Suspension Bridge: 

6 thoughts on “Haines Bridge

  1. A “Haines II” would work well taking pedestrians on their own bridge over the train track, whilst keeping the bridge historically intact and not changing the street scene. Care should be taken so that pedestrians remain visible from the street and trains, so that it is a socially pleasant place to walk.

  2. A parallel caged footbridge is an amazing idea. The current footpath is broken, sloping and downright dangerous. The pavement either side would allow its addition to be problem free.

    It would allow the road to be at least three feet wider – a brilliant win win for both pedestrians and drivers.

    As a plus – can you imagine the joy of little ones when a train whooshes under their feet! I’d like that too!

  3. Caging it does sound like a bad idea. It’s ugly and if somebody is coming the other way, the chances are people will walk on the road as the pavement will likely be even narrower. It will certainly make entering Queen’s Road more dangerous if driving. Do the job properly or not at all.

  4. Hi,
    I agree with the comment above that caging the pavement does not sound like a good idea and may even make it worse. It happens regularly that I have to enter the road – watching the traffic – when crossing the bridge, especially when meeting parents with children. Will a buggy for twins fit in such a “tunnel”.

  5. Hi,

    Caging may not be welcome because it interferes in height and freedom for cyclists and will make the route feel even less generous and more claustrophobic — unable to be used easily as a shared path route, as it is now.

    As a regular user, I agree that Haines is not the most safe — the skinny pavement, proximity to passing cars, low height of barrier over tracks. However, please consider if the cure being proposed here might be worse than the disease.

    Unless there are demonstrably better options than the ones shown, I would leave it as is and try more traffic calming measures.

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