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Background Information
Proposed Scheme
The Highways Agency is replacing Blackhorse Footbridge in its maintenance programme for 2007/08.
The existing footbridge was dismantled in June. The developers of Wichelstowe have proposed upgrading the footbridge to a bridleway standard bridge as part of a strategic public right of way between Wichelstowe and land to the south of the M4 motorway.
The Highways Agency and developers have worked together to develop and design a bridleway standard replacement motorway bridge, composed of the motorway span together with a bridge extension (the backspan) and supporting earth embankments (abutments).
The backspan would partly overlie the M4 motorway verge and extend north into the Wichelstowe development area crossing over the Link Road.
The proposed scheme is to be built in two stages. The motorway span is under construction and will be owned and maintained by the Highways Agency, while the backspan would be erected by the developers and would be owned and maintained by Swindon Borough Council.
The overall bridge superstructure (motorway span and backspan) will consist of single span steel truss girder bridges with a total span of about 100 metres. The clear deck width would be 3.5 metres suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and mounted equestrians. The backspan would be located on the noise earth bund (which would be about 47 metres wide in this area) to be constructed parallel to the motorway and just north of the Wichelstowe Link Road.
The earth embankments would be remodelled to accommodate the new structure, and the approach ramps have been designed to meet new standards for disability access. The works would require the removal of vegetation adjacent to the Footbridge and on the existing embankments.
Upgrading the footbridge would enable its use as a combined footpath, cycleway and bridleway in the future if such a route were to be developed south of the M4 by Swindon Borough Council.
The proposed replacement bridge is shown in the illustrative drawing by following the link below:
