The footbridge is well on the way to being removed from HIA. The remaining part of the exercise - the removal of the final tower is due for completion tonight. As I reported before it is being taken to Andrew Goodman's yard. From there it will be taken in sections for shot blasting, and coat of primer before being put under tarpaulins to protect it from the elements.
Jo kindly went along today to have a look, and here are a few shots of removal in progress.
and Jos report:-
I await the
next chapter with great interest !
Jo kindly went along today to have a look, and here are a few shots of removal in progress.
and Jos report:-
As you can
see, it has been successfully removed. Three elements were still on site Sunday
pm: One tower loaded, one still in situ, and part of a staircase awaiting
loading. Some of the
steelwork on the towers looked rather weatherworn, and will need patching and
rust proofing. The cast
iron columns at the foot of the stairs have been carefully dug out and removed;
the feet of the towers have been gas axed and will need replacing (not a big
problem I would say) and we have models of them at Broadway from our own
footbridge, also gas axed at that point. With
picture no. 10 I have tried to replicate the Network Rail picture on the BBC
website. Spot the difference.
Best
regards,
Jo
14 comments:
Great photos - interesting to see how the station was built to the same design as Broadway, Toddingtom, etc. Perhaps that's what Broadway would have looked like if it had survived in BR use...
(I do hope they're going to restore the old GWR sign though!)
Excellent news. Was also reported by the Beeb.
perhaps its time for a quick FB2B appeal to pay for prompt re -installation.
Who left their red car in the way?? Lol!
I think it belongs to the bloke on a bike spotted at Broadway on the 31st!!!
Brilliant news about the footbridge, it's just GOT to go to broadway, it will look totally the part.. I agee!, I think there should be some costings worked out and an appeal launched to get it in situ at broadway ASAP ! A very good visitors platform indeed !
A Look at Henley IA in happier times.... still a GWR station in the early 1970s!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOdezR5sWqY
Why was the bridge removed from Henley In Arden?
It was removed partly because it does not meet modern disabled access laws and also because it was starting to cost money in up keep. Interesting if the new bridge is built high enough for wires! Shame we couldn't of had the signalbox.
I read in Heritage Railway that some parts from the signal box (the lever frame?) went to the SVR. I don't know why the GWR couldn't have grabbed a few items - even the bricks would have been useful!
It's actually quite odd that the GWR doesn't seem to get first refusal on redundant items from such a nearby site. The bridge is only going to the GWR because the Wensleydale Railway couldn't take it after all.
Surely the GWR must have contacts with the big railway for stuff like this? Did nobody get alongside Network Rail and say say, "Tell you what, lads, any kit you're getting rid of at Henley In Arden - we'll have it!" ?
Anonymous
Michael Johnson, it does seem cavalier that items from what is effectively a continuation of the Honeybourne line seem to fall through our fingers like hot metal through butter fingers. Just sayin.
And yet it was possible to save Hall Green signal box from that same section of line - it's now at Winchcombe, of course. I'm not sure why doing a similar job on Henley In Arden signal box was ruled out.
I seem to recall that 'Health and safety' was put forward as the reason, but nobody ever suggested that a load of volunteers should go swarming all over it. The dismantled box could have easily been picked up after the demolition contractors had moved the materials off site. I assume that's what the SVR did when they claimed some equipment from it.
At the time I remember an appeal going out for anyone who knew a source of imperial engineering bricks to come forward, to build up stocks for the Broadway platforms. I remember thinking, well, there's an entire signal box-worth of genuine Great Western bricks being knocked down right now at Henley In Arden, but for some reason it's a 'hands off'!
my local paper the Observer had article on footbridge at H in Arden and final para. stated it was going to STAINMORE rway in Cumbria.
have emailed Darren F. to check this out.
john mayell pway wed gang spy and anything else going.!!
I'm the Project Manager from Murphy's, carrying out the works at HIA. The new bridge will have 16 person lifts and will be thoroughly modern affair - and yes it will be high enough for wires. The bridge's original destination is a bit of a murky story but I'm glad it's found it's rightful home. Hope you like it. Although my lads are a bit upset over the loss of their Christmas drink scrap money
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