Essex Highways
Other
Action Planned
Essex Highways has identified three potential options to improve safety at the St Dominic Road Footbridge and prefers installing full-height corrugated steel parapets. A full structural assessment is estimated to be completed by the end of January 2021, with design and refurbishment works to follow, subject to Network Rail approval. (AI summary)
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Dear Mrs Beasley-Murray,
Re: Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Mr L C Ramos Dos Anjos
I am writing to update you regarding St Dominic Road Footbridge, Colchester following our initial letter to you dated 25 August 2020
Following the concerns you raised within item five of your report, I can confirm that your recommendations have been explored further and our inspection report has been finalised. As a result of our option study, we can confirm that we identified three potential options of improvement for the structure:
- Option One To install an enclosed mesh canopy to the entire footbridge
- Option Two To install a solid screen extension to the top of the existing bridge parapet
- Option Three Installation of full height panels resulting in corrugated steel parapets
Our preferred option is option three. Our initial investigations suggest that this option provides more durability to the structure, along with providing preventative measures to reduce the possibilities of further incidents occurring in the future at this location. Engineers within my team also believe that option three will provide better value for money for Essex County Council and furthermore, option three will result in the least impact upon the existing structural capacity of the footbridge. Sent By E-Mail
Mrs C Beasley-Murray Essex Coroner's Service, Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
13 November 2020
Our Ref:
The bridge now needs to undergo a full structural assessment and this is estimated to be completed by the end of January 2021. Once the bridge has undergone a full engineering assessment, the design of any refurbishment works can commence. The design is estimated to take approximately twelve weeks to complete, should no additional strengthening works be necessary.
Please note, if it is agreed to provide these works the chosen option must be agreed by Network Rail, as the footbridge travels over the train line and is extremely close to overhead cables. Once designed, the works are likely to last an estimated six weeks to complete.
I trust that the above information is useful however please contact me should you have any further concerns. Once the structural assessment has been completed, we will endeavour to provide you with a further update.
Re: Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths – Mr L C Ramos Dos Anjos
I am writing to update you regarding St Dominic Road Footbridge, Colchester following our initial letter to you dated 25 August 2020
Following the concerns you raised within item five of your report, I can confirm that your recommendations have been explored further and our inspection report has been finalised. As a result of our option study, we can confirm that we identified three potential options of improvement for the structure:
- Option One To install an enclosed mesh canopy to the entire footbridge
- Option Two To install a solid screen extension to the top of the existing bridge parapet
- Option Three Installation of full height panels resulting in corrugated steel parapets
Our preferred option is option three. Our initial investigations suggest that this option provides more durability to the structure, along with providing preventative measures to reduce the possibilities of further incidents occurring in the future at this location. Engineers within my team also believe that option three will provide better value for money for Essex County Council and furthermore, option three will result in the least impact upon the existing structural capacity of the footbridge. Sent By E-Mail
Mrs C Beasley-Murray Essex Coroner's Service, Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
13 November 2020
Our Ref:
The bridge now needs to undergo a full structural assessment and this is estimated to be completed by the end of January 2021. Once the bridge has undergone a full engineering assessment, the design of any refurbishment works can commence. The design is estimated to take approximately twelve weeks to complete, should no additional strengthening works be necessary.
Please note, if it is agreed to provide these works the chosen option must be agreed by Network Rail, as the footbridge travels over the train line and is extremely close to overhead cables. Once designed, the works are likely to last an estimated six weeks to complete.
I trust that the above information is useful however please contact me should you have any further concerns. Once the structural assessment has been completed, we will endeavour to provide you with a further update.