17th April 2023
A new active travel bridge linking the city centre to Devon Place has been officially opened to the public at Newport railway station.
The bridge was opened this morning by Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Martyn Kellaway, Mayor of Newport, and Lee Waters MS, deputy minister for climate change at Welsh Government.
The new bridge replaces the old subway, providing residents and visitors with a safer, more accessible linking route across the main railway line.
The bridge has been built to active travel standards, enabling easy use for wheelchair users, cyclists and walkers. It has been funded through Welsh government’s active travel fund.
The scheme also includes improved paving around the transport hub and incorporates sustainable drainage features that capture rainwater and divert it to the newly installed planters.
This is the latest piece of active travel infrastructure to be completed in Newport, following on from refurbishments to active travel paths in Coed Melyn, Tredegar Park and Gaer Fort.
Speaking ahead of this morning’s opening ceremony, Councillor Mudd said: “The new bridge is going to be a fantastic piece of infrastructure for our residents and for visitors to our city.
“Our residents had made it clear to us that a safer, more accessible link between Devon Place and Queensway and the city centre was important to them. The new bridge provides that link.
“By making it easier for people to choose active travel options when travelling to and from the city centre, we are helping to build a greener, healthier Newport for everyone.
“The bridge is also another step in delivering our wider regeneration plans for the city. Having delivered a number of key projects including the refurbishment of the historic Market Arcade and indoor market, the refurbishment of the former Post Office sorting building on Mill Street is underway and will deliver flexible commercial space which has become even more accessible as a result of the new bridge.”
The deputy minister for climate change with responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said:
“We want to encourage more people to make local journeys by bike and on foot, and making it easier to travel actively is key to that.
“It's great to see this bridge finally open, it will open up a new route across the city and make it more convenient to walk and cycle around Newport".
Miriam Wright, sponsor at Network Rail, said: "It has been a real privilege to be the interface between Network Rail and Newport City Council for a scheme which has delivered such tangible benefits to the people of Newport.
"We’ve ensured the continued safe running of the railway and retained seamless journeys for our passengers all while working with the council to deliver such a fantastic project.
"We’ve now successfully transitioned from an outdated subway to a modern bridge, which is not only an accessible route across the railway, but which also promotes active travel, creates a better passenger experience at Newport station and which will serve to join up the areas on either side of the track in a much more effective way.
"The council have been excellent to work with and we hope to work with them again so collaboratively in any future projects.”
The provision of the bridge has been a complex project, with a number of challenges to overcome including working over an electrified railway line, working under the station and in the old subway
These challenges have been overcome through the collaborative efforts of several parties. The council led the project, in partnership with Network Rail and Transport for Wales. The council team was supported by Arup, Grimshaw and Corderoy for design and project management.
Alun Griffiths Ltd were principal contractors, while Cass Hayward led on the design of the bridge, andfabrication and installation was carried out by Pro Steel of Pontypool.