Concerns over poorly lit railway bridge in Lincoln

A poorly lit railway bridge poses a safety hazard for pedestrians, nearby residents say.

The footbridge, which connects Oxford Street and Tentercroft Street in Lincoln city centre, now has a sign warning people to consider alternate routes at night.

Pictures show the lack of lighting for users on the bridge and steps.

Bill and Margaret Moffat told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they wouldn’t use the bridge at night.

“The lighting is very poor – the fact that there’s a sign warning you to take an alternative route tells you everything you need to know,” Bill said.

“Older people and anyone with children would be reluctant to come this way after dark.

“It needs modernising with better lights. It’s barely changed in the 40 years we’ve lived in Lincoln.

“The bus station opposite looks very nice, but this has become an eyesore.”

An alternative route is available through the High Street, although pedestrians may be delayed by the railway barriers.

Margaret said: “The Tentercroft Street side is quiet at night – without lights, you don’t know who is about.

“From my own experiences, people have felt less safe using it over the last ten years.

“People only tend to come this way when the railway barriers are down for a long time.”

Another Lincoln resident said the bridge was “a daily hazard by the complete absence of illumination.”

“Last winter, on a good night, as many as half of the lights might actually have been working! However, those bright times are sadly no more.

“Though even then, the steps down to the bus station were always potentially deadly as no light was ever put in place to illuminate the descent.”

The sign placed at one end of the bridge (not both) says: “Caution – lighting on the bridge is not working, consider alternate routes in hours of darkness.”

Lincolnshire County Council, which Network Rail says is responsible for the lighting on the bridge, has been approached for comment.