Plan to remove railway bridge delayed after problems found

The bridge over the railway illuminated as work to remove it was scheduled to take place but is now delayed (Image: Trevor Porter)

WORK to replace the road over rail bridge in Bradford on Avon faces further delays after engineers were unable to crane out the rusting steelwork of the existing structure.

They hired a 130-tonne crane from Ainscough Crane Hire Ltd but were forced to abandon Saturday night’s operation.

Wiltshire Times: The specialist 130-tonne crane brought in to Bradford on Avon for the removal operation prepares to leave after the scheduled work was called off. Photo: Trevor Porter 69863-3

The specialist 130-tonne crane brought in to Bradford on Avon for the removal operation prepares to leave after the scheduled work was called off. Photo: Trevor Porter 69863-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Onlookers formed the impression that there was a “problem with the plates” which meant the work could not go ahead as planned.

One eyewitness said: “I got there at 11pm and they said there would be nothing happening until 2.30am when they were planning to close the line.

“I went back for midnight and three guys came along and said it wouldn’t be happening tonight.

Wiltshire Times: The bridge over the railway illuminated as work to remove it was scheduled to take place but is

“The operation was scheduled around 2.30am when the line would be closed to railway traffic. But around 12.30 decision was taken to close the operation down. At around 1am the specialist lifting and support vehicles left.

“They kept saying there was a ‘problem with the plates’ and they went home not long afterwards.

“It was a bit of a disappointment because they haven’t got that many slots available to do the work. They are due to come back again on Saturday, June 24 and then on Saturday, July 1.

“The whole area was illuminated with lights all ready to go and then it was cancelled. It must be costing them a lot of money.”

Wiltshire Times: One of the specialist heavy duty lorries brought in for the removal of the road over rail bridge leaves the site after the operation was called off. Photo: Trevor Porter 69863-2

One of the specialist heavy duty lorries brought in for the removal of the road over rail bridge leaves the site after the operation was called off. Photo: Trevor Porter 69863-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The work to replace the bridge in St Margaret’s Street is already four months behind schedule because of industrial action by railway workers and extreme cold weather during last winter.

Network Rail Infrastructure had hoped to complete the work in April after starting the project last September but it is now not expected to be completed before August.

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The road has been closed since September and there is a partial closure of the Public Right of Way in St Margaret’s Place next to the bridge.

Network Rail says this will help to maintain access for residents.

The repair works involve periods of working through the night but it seems that not all is going smoothly.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The bridge is life-expired and in a very poor condition which cannot be economically repaired.

“The least disruptive solution is to deconstruct the original bridge, maintain the existing abutments and construct a new bridge in its place.

“This will prevent the bridge from being involuntary weight restricted or closed, it will also provide a major maintenance-free period for at least 25 years.”