Difference between revisions of "Sterns"

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Sterns_20140316.jpg|Dip in the line in 2014 seen from the DMU
 
Sterns_20140316.jpg|Dip in the line in 2014 seen from the DMU
 
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*Following [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2020-2029#2020|extensive flooding in February 2020]] land movements were again observed. A comprehensive drainage network was proposed to collect rainwater and transport it to the river in an efficient manner before it could get down to the slip planes and exacerbate the problem.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun20 Branch Lines, June 2020] (Retrieved 26 June 2020)</ref> Contractors Walsh Construction completed this water management work by 29 July as planned, with the final item being the lining of the existing drainage ditch with concrete canvas.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, August 2020] (Retrieved 3 August 2020)</ref>
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*Following [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2020-2029#2020|extensive flooding in February 2020]] land movements were again observed. A comprehensive drainage network was proposed to collect rainwater and transport it to the river in an efficient manner before it could get down to the slip planes and exacerbate the problem.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun20 Branch Lines, June 2020] (Retrieved 26 June 2020)</ref> Contractors Walsh Construction completed this water management work by 29 July as planned, with the final item being the lining of the existing drainage ditch with concrete canvas. The work was funded by £120,000 from the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|SVR Charitable Trust]].<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, August 2020] (Retrieved 3 August 2020)</ref>
 
   
 
   
 
The section of line through Sterns was for many years under a strict 5mph speed limit, with drainage improvements and earthworks in 2013/14 finally allowing for the limit to be increased to 15mph (although further ground movement led to the reinstatement of a lower temporary speed limit soon after).  A consequence of this speed restriction is that northbound trains are made to work harder as they are prevented from ‘taking a run’ at Eardington Bank.
 
The section of line through Sterns was for many years under a strict 5mph speed limit, with drainage improvements and earthworks in 2013/14 finally allowing for the limit to be increased to 15mph (although further ground movement led to the reinstatement of a lower temporary speed limit soon after).  A consequence of this speed restriction is that northbound trains are made to work harder as they are prevented from ‘taking a run’ at Eardington Bank.

Revision as of 21:28, 3 August 2020

The telegraph pole at Sterns (summer)
The telegraph pole at Sterns (spring)
Sterns is situated between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth at the foot of Eardington Bank, at approximately milepost 147. It is at a place where the River Severn approaches close to the railway, and is notorious as a maintenance trouble spot due to the ground regularly slipping towards the river on numerous occasions over the history of the railway, especially after periods of heavy rain. The line of telegraph poles adjacent to the railway vividly illustrates this; one post which stood next to the track until shortly before 1979[1] has been carried a significant distance towards the river by ground movements since that time and is now only just visible in the trees towards the river. The post is mentioned in the Railway's From The Window booklet as one of the items to see during the journey and it carries a yellow flash to make it more visible.

Repair work

SVRSevern Valley Railway News and newsletters regularly refer to repair work at Sterns. Some examples are as follows:

  • Over the winter of 1976-77, intense cold followed by heavy rain resulted in the line dropping 2ft 6" and moving 4ft nearer the river.
  • In 1994-95 ten feet of river bank was washed away, triggering further slippage. 3,000 tons of rock was deposited on the river bank as a temporary measure.
  • In the Summer 2007 storm damage, the first severe thunderstorm did not affect Sterns, but further slips began in the following weeks as the wet weather continued. Part of the solution involved building a 150 foot long piled concrete retaining wall alongside Sterns Cottage, the house alongside the line on the side nearer the river.
  • In February 2014, evidence of further subsidence appeared with a significant dip in the line. Repair work was undertaken over the following months.[2]
  • Following extensive flooding in February 2020 land movements were again observed. A comprehensive drainage network was proposed to collect rainwater and transport it to the river in an efficient manner before it could get down to the slip planes and exacerbate the problem.[3] Contractors Walsh Construction completed this water management work by 29 July as planned, with the final item being the lining of the existing drainage ditch with concrete canvas. The work was funded by £120,000 from the SVR Charitable Trust.[4]

The section of line through Sterns was for many years under a strict 5mph speed limit, with drainage improvements and earthworks in 2013/14 finally allowing for the limit to be increased to 15mph (although further ground movement led to the reinstatement of a lower temporary speed limit soon after). A consequence of this speed restriction is that northbound trains are made to work harder as they are prevented from ‘taking a run’ at Eardington Bank.

Access for photography

Travelling South on the B4555 follow the road past Eardington station. A large layby can be found on the right hand side of the road which is ideally suited to the location at Sterns, accessed via the left turn just before the road diverges underneath the railway.

Directions

The nearest Postcode for Satnav directions is WV16 6AU
Lat. & Long. coordinates; 52.369457, -2.280311 View location on Google Maps
Ordnance Survey Grid Reference; View location on an OS map

See also

References

  1. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 52 p26
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway Live April 2014
  3. Branch Lines, June 2020 (Retrieved 26 June 2020)
  4. Branch Lines, August 2020 (Retrieved 3 August 2020)