Network Rail should be picking up the bill

I understand that the entrance and exit routes to the new Glass Works development must be improved, this goes without saying.

However, I was shocked to read reports quoting £9.7m for the building of the footbridge across two railway lines.

Two railways lines that actually belong to Network Rail – why on earth are Barnsley Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority paying this?

Maybe Network Rail should be instructed that they will have to reopen the former level crossing to allow right of way at specific intervals between train services – we don’t have trains travelling through 24/7.

Can somebody please enlighten my darkness? Surely this cost should be borne by Network Rail – or am I missing the point?

I really cannot accept the argument about material costs – bottom line is it is far too expensive for a simple pedestrian footbridge.

This expenditure must have been passed by the elected councillors – those that agreed to this expenditure in our name should be named publicly.

How on earth can our council scream about cuts imposed by central government, then go on to sanction a £9.7m expenditure for a pedestrian footbridge? Is this really acceptable ?

The council have the audacity to ignore main gateways into the town such as Sheffield Road, Doncaster Road, Agnes Road and Upper New Street, allowing them to fall into a state of virtual disrepair.

This really is an example of a local authority not prioritising the sensible distribution of council tax receipts, or dare I say it squandering public funds.

Is it too late to have a re-think and utilise the existing footbridge at the station and reopen Jumble Lane crossing?

Barnsley Council need to have a re-think before it is too late. In these days of austerity, we should be more cautious.