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[[File: Highley_Footbridge_20150614.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Highley Station Footbridge]]
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.
==Design==
==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>These included a 'landing' level from which both the platform and [[Highley Station foot crossing|barrow crossing]] could be accessed, as seen in the photograph below.
<gallery>File:Highley old bridge.jpg|Station and original footbridge pre-preservation</gallery> The bridge continued in use until closure of the line by BR ended passenger services in 1963, but after which its condition then deteriorated. By the time When the SVR reopened acquired this portion of the line through Highley in at the end of 1972, they reluctantly deemed the bridge unsafe and demolished it on 11 April/May 1974, at the same time as repairs to the [[Underbridge on Station Road, Highley]] were being carried out, just before the reopening of services to Highley on the bridge had reluctantly been demolishedfollowing Easter weekend.
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==Present Highley Footbridge==
By 17 November 2008 the funding package and design were in place to construct a new footbridge which that year's service, following the opening of the Engine House, had shown was much needed. The European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands provided funding for this project. The style of the new footbridge reflected that of the earlier footbridge. However at the end nearer the platform it was no longer necessary (or indeed possible) to access the barrow crossing directly, and therefore only a single flight of steps to the platform was required. Steps were included at the west end as the likely use was mainly for passengers visiting the Engine House rather than Highley Village. This resulted in a shorter span of 45ft 6in.<ref name=SVR164>SVR News 164</ref>
Work to install the bridge began at that time and caused an element of disruption to services; no services stopped at Highley Station through November and December weekends (apart from Boxing Day to 4 January 2009) to allow piling work for the installation of the foundations and bridge support pillars.<ref>Noticeboard Issue: Highley Footbridge 17 November 2008</ref> The closure continued for another four weekends in January while this work was completed.<ref name=SVR164/>
===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.
===Formal opening===
==See also==
==References==
<references/>
*[httphttps://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1100 SVR-Online Forum thread]*[httphttps://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1058 Original construction timetable]
==Links==
