Work is underway to “assess the method and cost of repairs” to the Ramsgate Road footbridge in Broadstairs which has been shut for one year since a car smashed into it last September.
On September 3 last year a driver collided with the barriers on the bridge and then attempted to flee but was tackled to the ground by bystanders.
Police and Network Rail were called to the scene and the driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to hospital.
The bridge footpath was closed and has remained shut ever since. The road is open with ‘temporary’ traffic lights in place.
In February this year trains were unable to run between Margate and Ramsgate for several hours after road work signs from the bridge were thrown on the track at Broadstairs.
The debris caused a power failure meaning passengers had to use bus services between the stations while the power supply was restored.
Kent County Council says the cost of repairs is being assessed but has no timeline for when work would begin.
A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: “The footbridge at Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, has been closed following extensive damage caused by a crash in 2022.
“Work is underway with our design and construction partners to assess the method and cost of the repairs required to bring the footbridge back into service.
“As our plans progress, we will liaise with Network Rail to ensure our works can be completed in a way that protects the safety of workers and the public.
“An alternative route has been established, with temporary traffic lights, so people can continue to safely cross the railway at this location while keeping disruption to a minimum where possible.”
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police officers attended after a car collided with a bridge in Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs at around 10.33am on 3 September 2022 and a man was arrested at the scene.
“A 40-year-old man from the Birchington area was later charged with drink driving and appeared before Thanet Magistrates’ Court on 21 February 2023.
“He admitted the offence and disqualified from driving for 16 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £125 costs.”
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Presumably the culprit was uninsured as well. Taxpayers & KCC foot the bill.
Surly K.C.C. can take the person to court and claim damages. If they have to sell their house, possessions, work for free, and live rough, tough, they should have thought of that before.
If it is the case that the driver was uninsured then KCC’s insurers should be footing the bill.
The cost of repairing the damage should have been assessed a year ago – not left until now.
kcc never has any money ( of ours ) but we all know what they have millions for dont we ? and its certainly not local rate payers !
Proof that pedestrians are treated far more poorly than motorists. Could you imagine them shutting the road for a year?
Thankfully, KCC has coned off part of the carriage way for the benefit of pedestrians.
I expect that the resulting narrow carriage way is the reason for the temporary one-waycworking and temporary lights.
A driver?? hasn’t he/she got a name. What a namby pamby society we live in, when we cant even name these people…..and they dont pay a penny to repair the damage, or inconvenience they caused..
I have asked for an update on whether they were charged (as opposed to just arrested) and when I have that information I’ll add it in.
The traffic lights work, make them permanent, make a pavement on the road, remove the old bridge and brick up the entrances.
Putting it back will just lead to a load of near misses that occurred virtually every day.
That’s quite a good point.
Especially since the new housing development, with its vehicle access at the worst possible point – on the bend.
It is my opinion that the traffic lights should be made a permanent fixture.
As a former raikway employee, I know that the work can only be undertaken during a Network Rail possession, and that the Bus stop, for Swinburne Avenue will need to be resited.