A sleek footbridge will be installed this month in an ongoing cityscape transformation around University of Brighton's Moulsecoomb campus and Preston Barracks.
14 January 2022
The fully accessible architect-designed bridge across Lewes Road will provide pedestrians and dismounted cyclists with a stylish new aerial crossing of one of the city's busiest roads, improving access between the communities on either side of Lewes Road and with Moulsecoomb station. The bridge is one of the final pieces in the university's ambitious Big Build project, and will include lifts, ramps and landscaped steps to bolster accessibility for all in the local community.
The modern bridge will link University of Brighton's soaring quintet of new student accommodation towers, the eye-catching new home for its School of Business and Law in Elm House, and the U+I development of Preston Barracks, which includes hundreds of new homes and the Plus X innovation hub.
The new bridge at Moulsecoomb over the Lewes Road
Matt Kitson, Director of Estates at University of Brighton, said: “The Big Build has transformed our Moulsecoomb campus, providing a bold new gateway to the city. Together, the mix of new academic, residential, retail and leisure facilities provide our students and staff with the best possible university experience.
“We’re proud of the role the University of Brighton plays in the city’s success, and I know the investment we’ve made at Moulsecoomb will have a major impact – not just on our university community but on our neighbours, local businesses and all our partners and stakeholders across Brighton and beyond.”
Some temporary traffic flow changes and road closures will be necessary on the last two weekends of January to complete the installation of the bridge, though all efforts will be made to minimise disruption.
On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January, a traffic contraflow will operate between Coombe Road to just north of Natal Road during normal daytime working hours to allow the bridge's western staircase to be installed. The bridge itself will be lifted into place the following weekend, requiring a full closure of the same section of Lewes Road from midnight on Friday 28 January through to 6am on Monday 31 January.
Engineers will work round-the-clock through the second weekend to carry out the installation as quickly as possible, while clearly signed pedestrian and cycle access will remain available throughout. Traffic diversions will operate via the A27/A23, and there will be some changes to local bus routes that weekend. For up-to-the-minute details of bus changes, please check the Brighton & Hove bus service update site.
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