Difference between revisions of "Highley Station Footbridge"

From SVR Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m (Formal opening: DoG visited but did not open The Engine House in October 2009)
(additional info and history)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[File: Highley_Footbridge_20150614.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Highley Station Footbridge]]
 
[[File: Highley_Footbridge_20150614.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Highley Station Footbridge]]
[[File:S0633_Highley_1970.jpg|thumb|300px|right| The original Highley Footbridge (David Cooke)]]
+
The present [[Highley | Highley Station]] Footbridge was constructed in 2009. It replaced a longer footbridge on the same site which was deemed beyond economical repair and demolished for scrap in spring 1974.  
[[Highley | Highley Station]] Footbridge was constructed in 2009. It replaced a longer footbridge on the same site which was deemed beyond economical repair and demolished for scrap in spring 1974.  
 
  
 
==Design==
 
==Design==
GWR footbridges followed two basic styles. That of the 1880s is reflected in the footbridges at Bridgnorth & Bewdley with cast iron columns. The style at Highley is intended to mimic that of the more utilitarian 1915 style.
+
GWR footbridges followed two basic styles. That of the 1880s is reflected in the footbridges at [[Bridgnorth Station Footbridge|Bridgnorth]] & [[Bewdley Station Footbridge|Bewdley]] with cast iron columns. The present footbridge at Highley is intended to mimic the more utilitarian style of the early 1900s.
  
==Delays in construction==
+
==Original Highley Footbridge==
 +
[[File:S0633_Highley_1970.jpg|thumb|300px|right| The original Highley Footbridge (David Cooke)]]Construction of the first footbridge at Highley, together with an additional siding for horse boxes, was authorised by the GWR Traffic Committee on 26 April 1912 at a cost of £845. Further expenditure of £84 on foundations for the footbridge was authorised in July 1914. This bridge consisted of a steel lattice girder structure of two spans. At the west end it connected directly to the footpath leading up the hill to Highley Village, and therefore required steps only at the station platform end.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 100.</ref>
 +
 
 +
The bridge continued in use until closure of the line by BR in 1963, but its condition then deteriorated. By the time the SVR reopened the line through Highley in April/May 1974, the bridge had reluctantly been demolished.
 +
<br clear="all"/>
 +
==Present Highley Footbridge==
 +
 
 +
===Delays in construction===
 
The originally intended installation date was 10 April 2009. This date was missed, with the General Manager reporting in May that it was primarily due to the fabricator underestimating the complicated nature of the construction of the main span. Whilst the main stairwells were complete the main span still needed considerable work to complete. With the main running season underway the decision was taken to delay the installation until September/October giving sufficient time for the main span to be completed to a high standard. The installation could then take place during daylight hours when the line is clear.  
 
The originally intended installation date was 10 April 2009. This date was missed, with the General Manager reporting in May that it was primarily due to the fabricator underestimating the complicated nature of the construction of the main span. Whilst the main stairwells were complete the main span still needed considerable work to complete. With the main running season underway the decision was taken to delay the installation until September/October giving sufficient time for the main span to be completed to a high standard. The installation could then take place during daylight hours when the line is clear.  
  
 
After the official opening, the bridge opened for public use from 24 October to 1 November 2009 before closing for a few days to enable final detailing work to take place.
 
After the official opening, the bridge opened for public use from 24 October to 1 November 2009 before closing for a few days to enable final detailing work to take place.
  
==Formal opening==
+
===Formal opening===
 
It was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the SVR's patron, on the same day as him visiting the newly-opened [[Engine House]] on 21 October 2009.
 
It was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the SVR's patron, on the same day as him visiting the newly-opened [[Engine House]] on 21 October 2009.
  
Line 20: Line 26:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1100 SVR-Online Forum thread]<br>
+
<references/>
[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1058 Original construction timetable]
+
*[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1100 SVR-Online Forum thread]
 +
*[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1058 Original construction timetable]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==

Revision as of 16:16, 4 July 2017

Highley Station Footbridge

The present Highley Station Footbridge was constructed in 2009. It replaced a longer footbridge on the same site which was deemed beyond economical repair and demolished for scrap in spring 1974.

Design

GWRGreat Western Railway footbridges followed two basic styles. That of the 1880s is reflected in the footbridges at Bridgnorth & Bewdley with cast iron columns. The present footbridge at Highley is intended to mimic the more utilitarian style of the early 1900s.

Original Highley Footbridge

The original Highley Footbridge (David Cooke)
Construction of the first footbridge at Highley, together with an additional siding for horse boxes, was authorised by the GWRGreat Western Railway Traffic Committee on 26 April 1912 at a cost of £845. Further expenditure of £84 on foundations for the footbridge was authorised in July 1914. This bridge consisted of a steel lattice girder structure of two spans. At the west end it connected directly to the footpath leading up the hill to Highley Village, and therefore required steps only at the station platform end.[1]

The bridge continued in use until closure of the line by BRBritish Rail or British Railways in 1963, but its condition then deteriorated. By the time the SVRSevern Valley Railway reopened the line through Highley in April/May 1974, the bridge had reluctantly been demolished.

Present Highley Footbridge

Delays in construction

The originally intended installation date was 10 April 2009. This date was missed, with the General Manager reporting in May that it was primarily due to the fabricator underestimating the complicated nature of the construction of the main span. Whilst the main stairwells were complete the main span still needed considerable work to complete. With the main running season underway the decision was taken to delay the installation until September/October giving sufficient time for the main span to be completed to a high standard. The installation could then take place during daylight hours when the line is clear.

After the official opening, the bridge opened for public use from 24 October to 1 November 2009 before closing for a few days to enable final detailing work to take place.

Formal opening

It was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the SVRSevern Valley Railway's patron, on the same day as him visiting the newly-opened Engine House on 21 October 2009.

See also

Towards Kidderminster
List of infrastructure
Towards Bridgnorth

References

  1. Marshall (1989) p. 100.

Links

Highley Station Wikipedia