Hampton pedestrian and cycling bridge

The proposed bridge would separate cyclists and pedestrians from the traffic on Pershore Road and Abbey Road for Hampton and surrounding area. Existing provision would remain for cyclists and pedestrians at Abbey Bridge, Workman Bridge, and the Hampton Ferry.

Background

The Government’s 2020 ‘Gear Change’ plan has the headline objective of making cycling and walking the natural choices for half of all shorter journeys by 2030. The plan recognises that many benefits derive from increased uptake of active travel, including:

increased mobility
congestion reduction
reduced NHS costs
reduced levels of air pollution

Many trips in Evesham are short, single-occupancy car trips. This, combined with Evesham’s relatively compact and flat geography means that improved walking and cycling infrastructure, including the delivery of a new river bridge, will give people the choice to walk or cycle if they want to.

��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s corporate plan “Shaping ��ϲ��ͼ��’s Future”, has four key priorities, including protecting the environment and promoting health and wellbeing.

The proposed new bridge meets these priorities by enhancing active lifestyles and seeing improved access to Evesham’s riverside.

�´ǰ��ٱ��󾱰��’s&�Բ��;Local Transport Plan (LTP4) includes aspirations to deliver a walking and cycling network for Evesham.

The draft plan

A draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has been prepared to deliver this aspiration and proposes a network for Evesham to enable cycling and walking across the town.

This includes a comprehensive series of improvements, including new links, crossings and resurfacing.

The proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge is a significant part of the Evesham LCWIP and will provide improved connectivity over the River Avon for pedestrians and cyclists travelling between Hampton, Evesham town centre and other local amenities

Currently, without a bridge to link Hampton to the town centre, the ‘available’ route follows very busy roads and it is considerably longer than the ‘crow flies’ route would be.

Hundreds of new homes have been built in Hampton since the last census, bringing significant growth to the ‘pool’ of potential bridge users, and hence the bridge is reflected in the South ��ϲ��ͼ�� Development Plan (SWDP) to help mitigate this.

Proposals

Introduction

The proposed Hampton bridge would provide a traffic-free walking and cycling bridge between Pershore Road in Hampton to Evesham.

The scheme includes a bridge across the River Avon, a causeway across the flood plain and new shared walking and cycling paths.

The design is influenced by local features, such as the under‐arch of Workman Bridge, and the tree lined riverside setting. It also includes more contemporary features such as weathering steel, and a causeway link similar to the recent award-winning Hams Way Bridge in Worcester.

Objectives

The overall objective of the scheme is to provide a safe, direct, and comfortable route from Pershore Road to Evesham town centre in the form of a new walking and cycling bridge and associated shared paths. The project needs to deliver:

a direct link between the Hampton area of Evesham and Evesham town centre as well as access to local amenities and key destinations on the eastern side of the River Avon including schools, workplaces, leisure centre and rail station.
connectivity on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis
a realistic and viable sustainable transport alternative to the use of private vehicles for short trips for those who want to walk or cycle

The project specific objectives are:

direct (on or near the desire line)
safe (safe enough to use early in the morning, evenings and at weekends)
unintrusive and to minimise environmental impacts
attractive in the context of the riverside setting
value for money against a constrained budget
flood resilient

Location and route

The location for the proposed pedestrian and cycling bridge is show in Map 1 below.

Map 1: the proposed location of the new pedestrian and cycling bridge

The Hampton bridge scheme consists of:

pedestrian and cyclist provision on the Severn Trent Water Access Road (the former railway line)
ramp and stairs to the bridge
bridge
a raised causeway across the flood plain so that the bridge is available 365/24/7, including during flood events
links to Evesham, the existing riverside Public Right of Way and Evesham Leisure Centre

Proposed bridge design

The proposed pedestrian and cycling bridge includes many design features including:

graceful under‐arch
low visual impact above the deck
weathering steel
low maintenance
clearance for boats
causeway above flood waters

Providing flood resilience

The proposed bridge form has a low hydraulic resistance so as not to affect river flows.

A raised causeway link is provided across the flood plain to enable the bridge to be useable all year round, including during flood events.

Flood modelling has been developed from topography, bathymetry, and existing Environment Agency data.

Project timeline

Planning Permission was granted in March 2024. The project team are negotiating with landowners to secure the land and access rights to enable construction to commence at the earliest opportunity.

Construction

A number of the planning conditions relate to how construction will be managed to minimise the environmental impact. For example we must translocate a population of reptiles to a safe site, restrict certain types of work during fish migratory embargo periods, employ archaeologists to watch over some of the excavation works and ensure flood risk is not affected during or after the works.

We do not anticipate out of hours construction, however, should this be necessary the contractor will inform local residents and businesses about planned and proposed working arrangements, to allow those affected to prepare for any disruption.

Every effort will be made to ensure that impacts on residents and businesses are kept to a minimum.

Pre-planning public engagement exercise

��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council (WCC) is developing plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge in Evesham, ��ϲ��ͼ��.

The proposed bridge will cross the River Avon, linking Hampton and Evesham. The proposed location is between the two current river crossings: the Hampton ferry and Abbey bridge. On the Hampton side, the bridge will be located off the Severn Trent Water access (the old railway line) off the B4084 (Pershore Road). On the Evesham side, the bridge will be located off Abbey Meadow, between Boat Lane and the Evesham Leisure Centre.

A pre-planning public engagement exercise ran from 5th November to 20th December 2021, with two public events: one in Evesham on Tuesday 16th November and the other in Hampton on Friday 19th November. The events provided an opportunity for residents, local businesses and other stakeholders to find out more about the proposal and have their say ahead of the submission of a planning application in spring 2022.

WCC used a variety of publicity materials, delivery methods and material formats to promote and encourage engagement and participation including:

Delivery of approximately 1,800 information letters in early November, 2021 to residential and business addresses within the Hampton area of Evesham.
Posters promoted the drop in engagement events and signposted interested parties to online resources; these were put up around Hampton and Evesham on noticeboards etc.
A social media campaign on ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s Facebook had 35,755 impressions (times viewed on screen), 271 engagements (shares, likes etc.) and 81 Link Clicks, and on Twitter had 15,776 impressions and 652 engagements including 199 Link Clicks, during the engagement period.
Two press articles were carried by local media during the engagement period. One in the Worcester ��ϲ��ͼ�� and one in the Evesham Observer. Both items carried details about the pre-planning engagement and promoted the events.
The project website had 6,328 page views (3,095 unique page views) during the pre-planning public engagement exercise period.
Two drop-in engagement events were held. The first at Evesham Town Hall on 11th November between 5pm and 7pm, which attracted 59 attendees, and the second at Hampton Community Hall, between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, which attracted over 115 attendees. The drop in engagement events offered an opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers from the County Council and other members of the project team.

We would like to thank everyone who provided written feedback on the proposal (You said). We received a total of 62 written responses, comprising of e-mails and one letter received by post. As expected, of those who responded to the public engagement exercise providing a postcode or address, all were in the Evesham area.

Your feedback on the proposal was provided as a free-text response. Analysis of the free-text was undertaken to identify the number of unique comments within each individual response – many respondents provided feedback on multiple themes - and those themes were then grouped based on feedback trends.

All the comments received during the pre-planning public engagement exercise have been carefully considered by the project team and responses have been provide (We did) in the table below. This summary provides an overview of the key themes and how these have influenced the design.

Overall Feeling	��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council Response
Support the bridge proposals 40 responses generally supported the proposals for the bridge. This represents 65% of all responses received (from 62 overall responses)	Your comments and support are noted. Thank you.
Do not support the bridge proposals 5 responses generally did not support the proposals for the bridge. This represents 8% of all responses received (62)	Your comments have been noted. Thank you
Neither support nor oppose the proposed bridge 16 responses neither supported nor opposed the proposed bridge. These tended to be general questions or suggestions. This represents 27% of all responses received (62)	All comments were noted. Thank you

Feedback

Feedback Theme from what ‘You said’	Quantum of Feedback	We did
You submitted comments about the access via Severn Trent track and/or the moving of the gate	8	Access from Pershore Road along the Severn Trent Water (STW) Access Road is currently restricted to STW operational and maintenance vehicles and those accessing the caravan park for drop off/pick up. We confirm that this will continue to be the case. Signs and suitable restrictions will be in place to advise of this. Discussion is in progress with STW on the re-positioning of the STW gates to the north of the proposed bridge. Sections of the STW Access Road will be either widened or realigned to provide a footway and provision for cyclists along the STW Access Road. This is likely to include sections of shared pedestrian/cycle path and sections of footway.
Comments were received about the provision of steps and ramps	5	The proposed bridge includes ramps and steps at both ends, on both the Evesham and Hampton sides. The ramps will be fully accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, cyclists and prams/pushchairs. The steps will provide a shorter route option for those able to utilise them. The scheme connects to the wider walking, cycling and public rights of way network, including links to connect to the existing riverside path.
One comment suggested that the bridge should provide a link between residential areas and workplaces rather than shopping areas	1	The proposed bridge, together with improved path widths and crossing points on Pershore Road, would provide a route from Hampton and the surrounding area into Evesham as an alternative to the Abbey Road Bridge. Hampton bridge is a significant part of the Evesham LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) to provide improved connectivity over the River Avon as well as a shorter, more direct and traffic free route to the town centre and leisure centre. This new link in the wider network will improve cycling and walking provision across the entire urban area of Evesham and the current and proposed new housing developments in Hampton, supporting onward connections to the train station and employment areas.
Some respondents were concerned about the safety of the route (CCTV/lighting/speed/cyclists on pavements/location of pedestrian crossing/flooding)	6	The fundamental principle of the scheme is to provide safe and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists, even during flood events. The bridge and associated works including the footways, crossings, lighting, and any potential CCTV will be designed to current National and ��ϲ��ͼ�� standards. ��ϲ��ͼ�� Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) notes that investing in high quality active travel projects, such as Hampton bridge, helps to tackle the challenges of development growth, traffic congestion, road safety and air quality. Hampton bridge also offers the opportunity to reduce car dependency by providing a safe, attractive, and realistic alternative travel choice for shorter trips. The proposed Hampton bridge is an important component of the Evesham LCWIP providing a more direct and traffic free route.
A couple of lighting concerns were raised	2	The scheme includes lighting to ensure a safe accessible route for all users. The type, location and level of the lighting is being planned and designed to minimise any impact on adjacent and surrounding properties, the environment and sensitive species such as bats.
A couple or respondents felt that the bridge route does not fit with what is needed in Evesham	2	We are seeking to deliver a new active travel route, in the form of a new walking and cycling bridge, to provide improved connectivity over the River Avon for a range of commuting, utility, recreation and leisure walking and cycling tips. The bridge would provide a direct link between the Hampton area of Evesham and Evesham town centre as well as access to local amenities and key destinations. on the eastern side of the River Avon including schools, workplaces, the leisure centre and rail station. The key requirements for the bridge are to be: Direct (on or near the desire lines), Safe to use at all times of the day, Low environmental impact, Attractive in the context of the riverside setting, Value for money and Flood resilient.
A number of comments related to minimum width standards/LTN 1/20 specification	6	Cycle Infrastructure Design Local Transport Note 1/20, July 2020 (LTN 1/20) provides guidance to local authorities on delivering high quality, cycle infrastructure. LTN 1/20 recommends a width of 4.0m based upon use of 300 pedestrians and 300 cyclists per hour and suggests a minimum of 3.0m for up to 300 cyclists and 300 pedestrians an hour. Based on consultation between Council and the Department for Transport (DfT) it is considered that a 3.5m bridge deck is a suitable width based on anticipated levels of usage
The bridge would bring benefits: e.g. fewer car journeys/better health/more money spent locally/safer route/emergency alternative when river floods/connections to trip attractors/more choice	18	Council agrees that the proposed Hampton bridge would bring many benefits including fewer car journeys, better health outcomes, ore money spent locally, a safer route, an emergency alternative when the River Avon floods, more connections to trip attractors and more choice for residents and visitors alike.
What provision will be made to safely join/leave Pershore Road at the junction with the 'STW Access Lane?	3	A new toucan (pedestrian and cyclists) crossing is proposed on Pershore Road. The junction of the Severn Trent Water Access Road and Pershore Road will be modified and enhanced to include a shared pedestrian and cyclist path and additional road safety measures. The scheme will go through a series of Road Safety Audits and will be reviewed by the Technical Approval Authority.
The ferry service should be improved instead	1	The bridge will complement and be in addition to the ferry. The purpose of the bridge connection is that it is available for continual use on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis to fulfil its role of providing a realistic and viable sustainable transport alternative to the use of private vehicles for short trips for those who want to walk or cycle.
Some felt that a new bridge is a waste of money/better located elsewhere	3	The purpose of the bridge is to provide a link from Hampton to Evesham for pedestrians and cyclists in a safe and efficient manner and it is therefore considered that the location is appropriate. Most of the funding for the bridge has been provided by developer contributions and was collected specifically for this purpose.
There were some concerns about wildlife/environmental	4	The bridge and links have been designed to minimise any impact on adjacent properties and the environment. Ecological and archaeological surveys have been carried out and will continue to be undertaken throughout the life of the scheme. Where appropriate approval will be sought from Natural England for the translocation of wildlife prior to works. Aspects such as lighting have been designed to be suitable for public safety whilst minimising any disturbance to neighbouring properties, the environment and wildlife.
Anti-social behaviour concerns	4	The proposed bridge has been planned and designed to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviours. The bridge and associated works including the footways, crossings, lighting, signage and any potential CCTV will be designed to current National and ��ϲ��ͼ�� standards and the Police will be consulted on the planning application.
Link queries and suggestions - how will Hampton new developments link in? Hampton side link must link with School Road for those in the west and north-west of Evesham . The Evesham side link is not identified? Develop whole track to link to Charlton	11	We are working with the County's Public Rights of Way (PROW) officers, and landowners, to ensure that the proposed Hampton Bridge project directly connects with the immediately adjacent PROWs and to identify potential improvements to existing footpaths, for example widening footpaths, some new links to eliminate detours, new crossing points and fencing improvements.
Concern that there is no segregation between pedestrians and cyclists. Conflict?	1	The proposed routing for the bridge and links consists of a mixture of segregated and shared use pedestrian and cyclist paths, depending on the location and physical limitations. Shared use bridges and paths have been used very successfully elsewhere in the county. During the planning and design process, discussion will continue with stakeholders, consultees and interested parties to develop the scheme.
Happy to help lobby to ease speedy construction	1	Comment noted - thank you.
Happy to volunteer to help keep bridge footpaths clear (asset management/general maintenance)	1	Comment noted - thank you.
Will poo bins and litter bins be provided?	1	The proposed design will include the provision of street furniture, to be in keeping with the local styles and to suit need. During project development, discussion will continue between the County and the other local authorities regarding the provision and future maintenance of these facilities.
Some felt that the bridge should also have access for horses	5	Consideration has been given to the local bridleway network and linkages to this project. It is appreciated there is a bridleway from Charlton to the Clarks Hill area of Hampton and bridleways to the south and east of Evesham, however, the work necessary to provide the "missing links" between the networks is outside the scope of this project and as such the significant additional cost of designing the bridge to be suitable for use by horse riders could not be justified.
General interest in how long the bridge will take to deliver, the procurement, design, construction and project management	3	There are a number of stages within the project including Concept Design, Public Engagement, Consultation, Planning, Detailed Design and Construction. The programme needs to cater for ecological considerations as some works are only able to be undertaken at certain times of the year to suit local ecology such as nesting birds, bats, fish species and slow worms. The programme also needs to factor in other possibilities including flooding events and the continued impact of Covid on resource and material supply. The design, construction and project management team engaged on this project has a track record of successful delivery on several civil engineering projects.
Please can I be kept up to date on progress?	3	Unfortunately, we are unable to update individual residents and businesses on the progress of the scheme, however, we will provide updates on the County Council website www.worcestershire.gov.uk/hampton, in the local media and on social media channels.
Proposals ignore work being done to footpaths on west side with WCC PROW team	1	We are working with the County's Public Rights of Way (PROW) officers, and landowners, to ensure that the proposed Hampton Bridge project directly connects with the immediately adjacent PROWs and to identify potential improvements to existing footpaths, for example widening footpaths, some new links to eliminate detours, new crossing points and fencing improvements.
Concerns about impact on nearby property	2	The bridge and links have been designed to minimise any impact on adjacent properties and the environment.
Bridge and causeway /ramps design/alignment concerns	6	The bridge location, alignment and design have all been through an option selection process, option analysis and review process. The design includes ramps and steps on both the Evesham and Hampton sides. The ramps will be fully accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, cyclists and prams/pushchairs. The steps will provide a shorter route for those able to utilise them. The scheme connects to the wider walking and cycling network.
What are the costs?	4	The costs are currently being finalised, however, the majority of the funding is being provided by developer contributions.
Impact on Park Run during construction	2	Some members of the project team have participated in the Evesham Park Run and so we understand the importance of the weekly event. We will be speaking to and liaising with all stakeholders and event coordinators including the Park Run organisers, angling clubs, cycling groups and ramblers to co-ordinate the survey work, pre-works and build phase with local community activities, festivals, and tourism events. Once constructed, the bridge will encourage people to be able to access the area including the angling pegs and Park Run by foot or cycle, reducing reliance on vehicles to these events.
Issues with the engagement exercise (e.g. not receiving a letter promoting the events)	2	As part of the pre planning public engagement exercise, there were c.1,800 letters distributed to homes in Hampton and areas of Evesham. There were also posters displayed in key locations and information was posted in the local newspaper and on the County Council website. Key stakeholders were also contacted to raise the profile of the exercise. There was some difficulty with delivering letters in certain locations due to restrictions regarding unsolicited mail for which we apologise.
Will connecting infrastructure conform to LTN 1/20 specifications	1	The design and width of the links will vary according to the location and available space, however, it is considered that 3.5m is a suitable width for the bridge and causeway given the anticipated level of usage.
Timing of bollards in Boat Lane concern	1	The timing of any works on Boat Lane and the adjacent areas to the scheme is important and we are working with landowners and other agencies including Wychavon District Council and local developers on this. The proposed scheme will provide for connections to both current destinations and links and allow for potential future connections.
Are you co-ordinating with housing developers?	3	Meetings between WCC, the Hampton Bridge design team and local landowners and developers are held on a regular basis
Total Unique Comments	173

What happens next?

The Hampton Bridge project in Evesham has been progressing well since its approval by WCC Cabinet in 2021. The Bridge will look to provide an additional river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists to the north of Abbey Bridge on the river Avon, assisting links from the housing developments in Hampton with the town centre. Paths are proposed linking the bridge to the surrounding areas via the Severn Trent Track on the west side of the river and a new track that will connect to the Leisure Centre and riverside path on the east side.

Planning Permission was granted in March 2024. The project team are negotiating with landowners to secure the land and access rights required to construct the bridge.

The designs are being finalised and works has started to satisfy the pre-commencement planning conditions.

Frequently asked questions

About the Proposal

Why are you proposing a new pedestrian and cycling bridge?

��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council is committed to improving walking and cycling access and connectivity for the County’s residents, businesses and visitors
a better walking and cycling network opens employment, education, and travel opportunities for residents and also encourages investment stimulating economic growth
the provision of an Active Travel network is a priority of the ��ϲ��ͼ�� Local Transport Plan (LTP4)
the provision of a bridge is justified in the South ��ϲ��ͼ�� Development Plan and embedded into policy
existing links across the river from Hampton are limited. The ferry has limited availability and the closest bridge (Abbey Bridge) is some distance from the new housing development and is accessed by a busy main road
a new river crossing supports people who wish to choose walking and cycling as an alternative to the private car to access the town centre

Where will the pedestrian and cycling bridge be located?

The proposed bridge will be located off the B4084 (Pershore Road) in Hampton, Evesham, off the Severn Trent Water access road.

What will the pedestrian and cycling bridge look like?

The proposed design of the Hampton Walking and Cycling bridge is influenced by local features, such as the graceful under‐arch of Workman Bridge, and the tree lined riverside setting. It also includes more contemporary features such as weathering steel, and a causeway link similar to the recent award winning Hams Way Bridge in Worcester. Bridge images can be seen on this page.

Will there be a ‘toll’ to cross the bridge?

There will be no charges to access the bridge

What is the delivery programme?

The commencement of construction works is dependent on securing the land and agreements with a number of landowners. Some advanced site clearance works will be progressed to shorten lead-in to construction activities.

What are the costs and where has the funding come from?

The costs are currently being finalised. The funding is a combination of developer contributions and the County Council's own funds.

What happens next?

Planning Permission was granted in March 2024. The project team are negotiating with landowners to secure the land and access rights required to construct the bridge.

The designs are being finalised and works has started to satisfy the pre-commencement planning conditions.

General Questions

How does the scheme integrate with ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030?

A new walking and cycling bridge will help people who wish to move from travelling by private car to walk or cycle instead, thereby reducing congestion and pollution.

Further, ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council is keen to encourage people to walk and cycle around Evesham, and is currently preparing a Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the town.

What will you be doing to minimise the impact during construction for local residents?

Details of how construction will be managed to mitigate the environmental impacts (including noise, vibration, dust and traffic) would be subject to a planning condition. We do not anticipate out of hours construction but should this be necessary the contractor would keep neighbours informed about planned working arrangements, so they are aware of and can plan for any disruption. Every effort will be made to ensure that impacts on residents and businesses are kept as low as possible, both during daytime working and in the event that essential work needs to take place at night or during the weekend.

How are you minimising the ecological impact of the proposals?

The site has been the subject of ecology surveys and an Ecological Assessment was submitted as part of the planning application. The Ecological Assessment has been undertaken to understand the ecological sensitivity of the site and enabled the development proposals to be designed in such a manner to avoid or mitigate any potential impacts on wildlife.

The lighting design would be subject to a planning condition, any design would seek to minimise light spill into the environment.

Latest news

May 2024

Planning Permission was granted in March 2024. The project team are negotiating with landowners to secure the land and access rights required to construct the bridge. The designs are being finalised and works has started to satisfy the pre-commencement planning conditions.

October 2023

An application for planning permission was submitted in Spring 2022 and further information was submitted in Autumn 2023 to address stakeholder concerns on the impact on bats, leading to a second round of stakeholder consultation. The second stakeholder consultation period has now ended and we are addressing the comments raised with the aim of the scheme going to the next available Planning Committee. We have been working to secure the necessary land and access rights to construct the scheme and developing the scheme detailed design. An Archaeology Site Evaluation is due to commence soon onsite to ensure the scheme will not affect anything of archaeological importance.

October 2022

June 2022

County Council to take planning decision on new Hampton bridge

Walking and cycling in Evesham could get a huge boost if plans to progress a new bridge are given the green light.

The planning application to build the new bridge over the river Avon has been submitted and papers will be published on ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s planning web page from 16th June, 2022. The bridge will link Hampton with Evesham town centre giving people access to schools, employment, and transport links.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s said, “We are extremely excited to apply for planning permission for a brand-new walking and cycling bridge in Evesham. If approved, it will be a significant step forward in our commitment to improve our walking and cycling infrastructure in the town. The new bridge will provide a vital link between Hampton and new housing developments on the west of the town with the facilities and services in the town centre. It will also improve access for people from the town side of the river to attractions on the Hampton side.”

The concept for a new bridge was put forward to address housing growth in Hampton with contributions from developers. The new bridge would make a huge difference to those living in the local area, providing them with the opportunity to make journeys on a bike or on foot. The bridge will also help tackle congestion problems in Evesham, improve journey times and improve air quality by providing an alternative to driving for short journeys. ��ϲ��ͼ�� County Council’s planning committee will meet in the Autumn to vote on the bridge proposals. The planning application followed an extensive pre-planning public engagement exercise which took place in Evesham and Hampton last year. .

Useful links

Kepax walking and cycling bridge

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