Tourism and events

The Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge in Barnsley town centre opened in December 2023. It's a stunning addition to the Barnsley skyline, linking The Glass Works square with the transport interchange and Market Gate Car Park.

The bridge is open 24 hours a day and provides easy access directly into the town centre. It has a lift, is well lit, and covered by CCTV cameras. The bridge has opened more active travel routes for residents and visitors to arrive on foot, bike, wheelchair or scooter.

Naming of the bridge

During the planning and construction phase the bridge was referred to as Market Gate Bridge. In 2024 we invited residents to submit suggestions for a fitting permanent name that reflects Barnsley's rich history. More than 1200 suggestions were made by members of the public, and we put the 20 most popular choices before a panel, including representatives of:

  • Barnsley Council
  • the business community
  • a member of Barnsley’s Youth Council

The panel chose the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge as the permanent name, in memory of the former Barnsley FC, Manchester United and England footballer tragically killed in the Munich air disaster in 1958. Tommy is regarded as one of Barnsley FC’s all-time greatest strikers and the finest centre-forward ever to represent Manchester United and England. He was just 26 when he was killed among 23 fatalities of the disaster.

Bridge accessibility

The bridge is designed with a slight camber, no steeper than 1:25, which would be comfortable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. Lifts provide a level platform at both ends for pedestrians and users of pushchairs, wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Cyclists can take their bikes into the lifts, or walk them up the steps using a cycle wheel groove built into the bridge.

For users with a visual impairment, tactile surfacing is used at both street-level and on the bridge deck upon approach to the steps, lifts, and cable housings. The handrails, walkways, steps and nosings are all of an appropriate contrasting colour to the bridge structure.

More information

Background to the construction of the bridge

The former Jumble Lane level crossing was closed as part of Network Rail’s Level Crossing Risk Reduction Programme. The aim of this work was to close level crossings where possible, to remove the risk to the national rail network. This programme was funded until March 2019 and the crossing had to be closed by this date to qualify for an investment by Network Rail of £2 million. This is why a temporary bridge was installed in 2019, so the level crossing could be closed before the funding deadline.

Network Rail's funding would have allowed the construction of a basic, functional footbridge over the railway. However, we decided to explore more funding opportunities and to include the bridge as part of the wider town centre regeneration. This allowed the construction of a more ambitious design which compliments The Glass Works.

Investment and cost

The bridge represents a major investment backed by Network Rail and the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA).

The construction of the bridge alone cost just under £8 million. Associated costs including professional fees and legal costs, design work, landscaping, charges from Network Rail for access over their line, and unexpected gas diversion work, took the total bridge-related costs to £11.2 million.

A further £1.8 million was invested as part of the wider project in other improvements around the bridge, including new paving and public realm works, improved street lighting, highway works, as well as a sewer diversion required in Market Gate Car Park. SYMCA contributed £8.9 million from the Accelerated South Yorkshire Renewal Fund, their Recycled local growth fund, and their Get Britain Building and Transforming Cities Funds. In addition, Network Rail contributed £2 million.

Constructing the bridge

The bridge was designed by architects from IBI Group with structural engineering from Waterman Group.  It was constructed by engineering specialist Keltbray.

There was a delay to the start of the construction project due to several issues, including sewer diversion work and the process of appointing a contractor. We identified a preferred contractor after a lengthy tender process, however we identified some concerns about their financial viability when completing due diligence checks. Our teams spent months negotiating with the contractor to build safeguards into the contract. This would have made sure the council and investments were protected if the firm ran into difficulties. After months of hard work, a position was agreed in July 2021 which protected the council and allowed work to begin. This was finally signed by the contractor on 30 September 2021, but the firm fell into administration just four days later. It then took several months to novate the contract to an alternative contractor in Keltbray.

Construction of the bridge off-site began in February 2022 and on-site work began in July 2022.