• Project update

  • CGI of the North Doncaster Chord road bridge

    North Doncaster Chord - road bridge CGI

  • Throughout our public consultation we have been told by the community that the following issues were important with regards to how we build the project and the final design:

    • Improving delays at level crossings
    • Keeping lorries to a minimum
    • Protecting the environment

    Joan Croft level crossing

    We've taken these points into account while we've been further working up our plans and have found a solution we think has clear benefits to the community and environment, as well as the railway.

    We have improved our previous proposals and are planning to build a road bridge over the East Coast Main Line (ECML) at Joan Croft Lane to replace the level crossing. The new bridge will be landscaped sympathetically, and will allow traffic to drive up and over the ECML rather than waiting for the level crossing to open. This is good for the scheme and the local community as it delivers the following benefits:

    • It reduces the average journey time for anyone wanting to cross the busy ECML as there will be no waiting time at the level crossing gates
    • We will be able to lower the height of the electric wires on the ECML, meaning the new railway embankments and the viaduct will be 1.3 metres lower, reducing the visual impact of the scheme
    • We are able to close a level crossing. The single biggest risk of an incident occurring on the railway
    • It will save taxpayers money as costs to operate and maintain the railway will be reduced
  • Map showing how we'll deliver material by rail

    Rail delivery proposal map

  • Map showing how we'll deliver material by road

    Road delivery proposal map

  • Constructing the chord

    The scheme has been designed considerately, paying attention to keeping trains running throughout construction and minimising the number of deliveries needed to construct the embankment.

    To help us minimise the number of lorries on the road, we propose to bring some of the materials into site by rail on the Skellow Line to the redundant Thorpe Marsh power station rail sidings. This will mean an estimated reduction of 15,000 lorry movements on public roads.

    As it is not feasible to bring all of the material we need to site by rail, we are proposing a combination of rail and road deliveries. We have discussed haul route options with community representatives and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and have worked together to select the best possible route to site for construction vehicles.

    The preferred route is a one way system for construction traffic only off the A19 via Rockley Lane and out via Holme Lane.

    We have received feedback regarding the junction of Rockley Lane, Sutton Road and Stocksbridge Lane. As a result we have worked closely with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council officers to develop and include permanent improvements to the road layout at this section of highway. The improvements will remain after completion of the project.

    Benefits:

    • Makes the best use of local roads by using existing transport infrastructure
    • Avoids regular road trips through Barnby Dun
    • Minimises impact on the ancient hedgerows and biodiversity

    Our application to the Infrastructure Planning Comission (IPC) has now been accepted for examination. For more information on the next steps in the process, to find out about dates for IPC hearings, and to see all of our application documents, see our application documents page.