History dude Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 There is a proposal to fill with concrete and brick up the old Woodbourn Road tunnel. The reason is to allow greater weighted lorries to travel over it. It is still awaiting a planning decision on it. Reports on it include the fact that bats use it. And the structure is architectural important to Sheffield railway history. Being made of steel girders and engineering blue brick. At present you can only access one side by crossing the Supertram tracks near the depot. Planning report Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHB Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 All Planning Application Documents https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails. Reference 22/04542/FUL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Xavier Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 There's been a huge outcry over other councils doing exactly this. No reason why Sheffield should get away with it, particularly if it's in the interest of protecting an endangered species. As far as I know, it's illegal to destroy a habitat for bats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History dude Posted July 17, 2023 Author Share Posted July 17, 2023 Doesn't Sheffield still make steel girders? A few of them placed inside would solve the weight problem, without sealing it up. Short sighted thinking is this plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laz Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 Oh dear, is nothing sacred, leave the bridge alone. Bats' habitats are protected - What are the rules for bats in the UK? The laws protecting bats It is illegal to kill or injure bats, disturb them or to obstruct or destroy their roosts (even if the bats are not inside at the time). Having bats in a building does not necessarily mean that you cannot carry out building or repair works. 28 Jun 2021 Filling in the bridge will destroy their habitat, surely the council knows the laws?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemmy117 Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 Looking at the planning application I can see no mention of bats, indeed this paragraph: "Ecological assessments have been undertaken to support the scheme which concluded that protected species and designated sites would not be impacted, subject to the supporting ecological mitigation being implemented during construction." With regards to other bridges being filled in, these have been over disused railways where there is a perceived future use as either a re-instated railway, or cycleway conversion. There seems to be no future use for the area under this bridge, one side is Supertram and the other leads directly onto Network Rail. Yes, we probably make steel bridge beams, but I'm guessing to install them will involve closing the roads to open up the structure and install over the existing piers, so disruption be a problem. The structure itself seems to be in very poor condition, patching it up seems to be only going to be a short term fix. Whilst I agree we need to try to retain out heritage, sometimes safety, cost and practicality mean we have to let somethings go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysanderix Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 In fact Sheffield never made commercial girders or universal beams…we produced very little in the way of structural steels…specialising as we did in high grade steels….and girders were classed alongside clog iron.😏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History dude Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 3 hours ago, Lemmy117 said: Looking at the planning application I can see no mention of bats, indeed this paragraph: Actually there is a report.... No bats were identified roosting within Woodbourn Road Tunnel. No further action is required in relation to roosting bats at this time. This should be reviewed by a suitably experienced ecologist once detailed specifications for the proposed works have been developed. • The site is used by foraging and commuting bats, with one species recorded during surveys; common pipistrelle. Habitat fragmentation should be avoided as the site likely acts as an important foraging resource within an urban landscape. • Areas of suitable habitat and associated foraging resources for foraging bats within the site should be retained where possible. Opportunities for habitat enhancement exist within the wider area. • It is recommended that infilling the tunnel completely is avoided, as this will lead to severance of commuting/feeding corridors, which may force bats over the bridge and increase risk of vehicle collision and mortality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysanderix Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 That report must be taken into account. If it is disregarded then the Council will deserve all the opprobrium they will have invited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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