A historic footbridge in Rugby, Warwickshire is officially open following improvement works completed by Danaher & Walsh of Leicester. The Black Path Footbridge is now safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired.

Designed by Warwickshire County Council and built by Northallerton based Allerton Bridges Ltd, the Black Path Footbridge is 42 metres long, 3.1 metres wide and 4.8 metres high. It had to be built in three sections so it could be transported to the site at Woodside Business Park, close to Rugby’s railway station.

The new footbridge replaces a previously well-used Victorian Lattice Bridge which was located above the main access road into the industrial estate. Warwickshire County Council commissioned Danaher & Walsh to upgrade the southern access to the footbridge. It was funded through the County Council's Local Transport Plan, which aims to improve accessibility and safety.


Danaher & Walsh was commissioned by Warwickshire County Council to start work on the third and final phase of the Black Path Improvement Project in November 2008. The improvements have seen the replacement of the steps on the southern side of the footbridge with a ramp, which will form part of the future Sustrans Connect 2 project to open up the Leicester Road viaduct as a cycle route.

Adrian Hart, the County Council’s Transport Planning Team Leader, says: "We are pleased to have worked closely with Danaher & Walsh to deliver an improvement to what is a key crossing of the West Coast Main Line.

"The works, along with those on the northern side of the bridge, will contribute towards the County Council's LTP objectives to facilitate safer and more convenient opportunities for walking and cycling.”"