SCRCA Note relating to station footbridges

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The original plans for the Settle & Carlisle Railway did not include passenger footbridges or subways at any of the stations between Settle Junction and Petteril Bridge Junction.

The historical context

In the early years of railway operation in Great Britain, safety was not a primary consideration and passenger platforms were often just a few inches higher than rail-top level. Under these circumstances, most passengers and staff crossed from one platform to another by walking across the tracks whenever and wherever they chose to do so. However, by the time the Settle & Carlisle Railway was being constructed (1869-1876), passenger platforms were being built (or rebuilt) at a significantly higher level^[1], so crossing the tracks became more difficult. Under these circumstances, most passengers and staff would choose to cross via the barrow crossings (which were usually located at the platform ends). Unfortunately, this often entailed a long and time-consuming walk (rarely popular with either staff or passengers) and passengers could miss their trains while waiting for an opportunity to cross safely (especially if the crossing was blocked by a train). Also, barrow crossings (and all other types of level crossing) are potentially dangerous. This is especially the case at busy stations (with lots of trains, lots of passengers, or both) and when there is poor visibility and when the crossings are covered in snow or are otherwise slippery. However, the provision (and subsequent maintenance) of dedicated footbridges or subways is expensive, so railway companies were reluctant to provide them without some form of external pressure (e.g. legislation or an influential local campaign).

Bridge numbers

The letter 'A' added as a suffix to the bridge numbers reflects the fact that these footbridges were installed after the line was planned and built and after the bridge numbers had been allocated.

Alternative access routes

At some stations, there is a conveniently situated road underbridge or overbridge and, in some locations, passengers can use these to cross between platforms. However, the stations on the Settle & Carlisle Railway were originally constructed with just a single entrance for passenger use (either via the booking hall, or via a gate in the boundary fence close to the main station building). This reinforced the fact that the stations were private property, enabled access to be easily controlled and facilitated ticket checks. Where additional access points are available today, these are the result of later changes and / or the opening-up of what were originally 'staff only' access routes.

Footbridges at 'Settle & Carlisle Railway' stations

Appleby Station (then known as 'Appleby West') received its footbridge in 1901 (see Bridge SAC/236A and the associated contemporary accounts relating to Appleby Station Footbridge).
Settle Station received its footbridge in 1993 (see Bridge SAC/6A and the associated notes on the origin and installation of Settle Station Footbridge).
Kirkby Stephen Station received its footbridge in 1999 (see Bridge SAC/180A).
Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station is likely to be the next station to receive a footbridge as Network Rail recently lodged a planning application for a £1.9m scheme to replace the current foot crossing with a modern footbridge.

Footbridges & subways at other stations within the SCRCA

At Hellifield Station, a dedicated subway (Bridge SKW1/32) provides access from the station approach road to the island platform. It was built at the same time as the 'new' (current) station, which opened in 1880.
At Carlisle Citadel Station, a footbridge and two subways are now available for passenger use, although the subways were originally for staff use only.