Difference between revisions of "Highley Station Footbridge"

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[[File: Highley_Footbridge_20150614.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Highley Station Footbridge]]
 
[[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.  
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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==
 
==Design==
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==Original Highley Footbridge==
 
==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>
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[[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.
  
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.
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<gallery>
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File:Highley old bridge.jpg|Station and original footbridge pre-preservation
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</gallery>
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The bridge continued in use until BR ended passenger services in 1963, after which its condition deteriorated. When the SVR acquired this portion of the line at the end of 1972, they reluctantly deemed the bridge unsafe and demolished it on 11 April 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 following Easter weekend.
 
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<br clear="all"/>
 
==Present Highley Footbridge==
 
==Present Highley Footbridge==
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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>
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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===
 
===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.  
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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.<ref name=SVR168>SVR News 168</ref> During April the end columns were in situ and the 'cross girders' lifted into place using [[Smiths, Rodley DW35 6-ton steam crane|'Toby Jiblets']], the 6-ton steam crane.<ref>[https://youtu.be/_CqgBV7cEqU Sharpo's World on Youtube]</ref> However 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.
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Erection of the bridge eventually took place on Monday 12 October 2009. [[D8188]] brought the main span and stairwells by rail to the site, where they were lifted into place by the [[Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087|30-ton steam crane]].<ref name=SVR168/> 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.
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The footbridge was formally opened by SVR Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 21 October 2009, on the occasion of his visit to the the newly-opened [[Engine House]]. The bridge carries a plaque to mark this event.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
*[http://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1100 SVR-Online Forum thread]
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*[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1100 SVR-Online Forum thread]
*[http://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1058 Original construction timetable]
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*[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1058 Original construction timetable]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highley_railway_station Highley Station Wikipedia]
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*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highley_railway_station Highley Station Wikipedia]
 
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*[https://youtu.be/_CqgBV7cEqU Sharpo's World on Youtube] ('Slide Show' of construction in progress in April and October 2009)
  
  
 
[[Category:Featured articles]]
 
[[Category:Featured articles]]
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[[Category:European Union (and predecessors) funding]]

Latest revision as of 16:19, 2 August 2020

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] These included a 'landing' level from which both the platform and barrow crossing could be accessed, as seen in the photograph below.

The bridge continued in use until BRBritish Rail or British Railways ended passenger services in 1963, after which its condition deteriorated. When the SVRSevern Valley Railway acquired this portion of the line at the end of 1972, they reluctantly deemed the bridge unsafe and demolished it on 11 April 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 following Easter weekend.

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.[2]

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.[3] The closure continued for another four weekends in January while this work was completed.[2]

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.[4] During April the end columns were in situ and the 'cross girders' lifted into place using 'Toby Jiblets', the 6-ton steam crane.[5] However 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.

Erection of the bridge eventually took place on Monday 12 October 2009. D8188 brought the main span and stairwells by rail to the site, where they were lifted into place by the 30-ton steam crane.[4] 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

The footbridge was formally opened by SVRSevern Valley Railway Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 21 October 2009, on the occasion of his visit to the the newly-opened Engine House. The bridge carries a plaque to mark this event.

See also

Towards Kidderminster
List of infrastructure
Towards Bridgnorth

References

  1. Marshall (1989) p. 100.
  2. 2.0 2.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 164
  3. Noticeboard Issue: Highley Footbridge 17 November 2008
  4. 4.0 4.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 168
  5. Sharpo's World on Youtube

Links