Gareth Marston
Established Member
Plan is to build new rail bridge first and then slew track over and then build road section alongside it and then close old bridge once done.
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New bridge nr Penrhyndeudraeth (Briwet Bridge)
- Thread starter PaxVobiscum
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Plan is to build new rail bridge first and then slew track over and then build road section alongside it and then close old bridge once done.
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Arglwydd Golau
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OK, thanks for that - seems the most sensible approach, I thought for a moment that a long 'bustitution' was in order!
It's not quite as Gareth says. The road section of the new bridge will be where the present bridge is, so cannot be built until the old bridge is demolished. The original plan, described in this document, would have maintained rail access but left no road access for almost a year. The plan has now been changed. There will now be a temporary road bridge on the upstream side, so both road and rail access will be maintained.
merlodlliw
Established Member
Looking at those costings, a dual bridge at Wrexham would have cost about £35m to £40M, that is removal of old with new two track bridge, and all those year ago it saved less than half a £M.
I appreciate its all different as Wrexham is only rail & probably the road at Wrexham under the rail bridge carries more traffic in an hour than the West Wales bridge carries in a year, due to its high use as an A road.
Just thoughts. As the bridge about to be built will carry two lanes of traffic, ah progress.
Bob
I appreciate its all different as Wrexham is only rail & probably the road at Wrexham under the rail bridge carries more traffic in an hour than the West Wales bridge carries in a year, due to its high use as an A road.
Just thoughts. As the bridge about to be built will carry two lanes of traffic, ah progress.
Bob
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PaxVobiscum
Established Member
Is the new plan publicly available?
If you mean plan in the sense of a map (or a cross-section), I haven't seen one that shows the temporary bridge, but as far as I know the layout of the permanent works has not changed since the plans in the document I linked above.
I haven't seen an up-to-date timeline of the works.
I first learned of the temporary bridge in July 2011 when I found this document on the web. It says the temporary bridge would require demolition of the toll house.
I later found a document giving supporting evidence for the application for listed building consent to demolish the existing bridge, but that seems to be no longer on the web. (The permission was granted.)
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PaxVobiscum
Established Member
Thanks, snowball. I still have the PDF you linked to. I was just interested to know what's happening as I'll be going there again soon. Looks like I'll still have the chance to take some 'before' pictures. 
The Cambrian Line north of Harlech has been closed. The wooden Pont Briwet Road/Rail Viaduct has moved vertically, probably due to the works to replace it. Bustitution is in force north of Harlech.
I'm surprised nobody had picked this up earlier - I found out via a Welsh Highland Railway site.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/railway-line-closed-after-work-6275415
I'm surprised nobody had picked this up earlier - I found out via a Welsh Highland Railway site.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/railway-line-closed-after-work-6275415
merlodlliw
Established Member
Well found, I was out all day yesterday & have received an e mail from a ranger contact in the Snowdonia National Park, only two trains were due to run today(Sunday) according to my contact,no trains until safety precautionary checks have been made,but normal service expected soon over the stretch mentioned.The biggest implication will be on School children who use the trains if its shut for a long period.
Bob
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Eagle
Established Member
Getting less and less likely. A couple of hours ago ATW were saying the line would reopen on Saturday 16th, and now they are saying Wednesday 20th.
merlodlliw
Established Member
Not a very helpful Sunday service announcement on the ATW website,no trains mentioned today,just a bus Harlech to Pwl,looks like piledrivers have done the damage in my opinion.
http://www.journeycheck.com/arrivat...rlech to Pwllheli SUN.pdf?webMessageId=944103
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jones_bangor
Member
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The damage has been more likely caused by increased scour, allegedly. This is possibly because of the construction of the temporary embankment / causeway into the estuary. The bed of the river estuary under the bridge has possibly shifted, causing major issues? I'm afraid Pont Briwet never looked the sturdiest of structures!
We've just had a spate of "spring" tides as well!
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LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
I think there are two problems.
The first was an unstable electricity pylon which requires making safe.
The second (more recent) is a bridge problem because of construction work on the new one.
I wonder if any stock is trapped at the Pwllheli end?
The first was an unstable electricity pylon which requires making safe.
The second (more recent) is a bridge problem because of construction work on the new one.
I wonder if any stock is trapped at the Pwllheli end?
Bwsbro
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The disruption which now has been extended to the 20th of the month is only due to the bridge, the pylon which casued all the trouble previously has been demolished see
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pylon-demolition-north-wales---6246730
Currently there is two replacement bus service in operation between Harlech and Pwllheli. One Stopping at all stations and the other mainly stoping at Porthmadog only.
See attached the timetable.
From what i have gathered there is no trains stuck in Pwllheli, therefore a replacement bus service has to be operated by Arriva Wales Coach based at its Aberystwyth Depot, Mid Wales Travel, Lloyds Coaches and Berwyn Coaches
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PaxVobiscum
Established Member
as I understand the shifting sands or shifting bridge was always a risk factor here and was recognised as such. Something to do with the estuary's water channel being narrowed by the works, causing a much stronger flow of water which has affected the naturally occuring currents (or something).
The pylon was in a bad way apparently for a long time prior to the commencement of works on Briwet bridge.
The cynic in me is thinking that it's mighty convenient that there were no trains left at the Pwllheli end by ATW...
(we all realise it's a not for growth franchise don't we?)
The pylon was in a bad way apparently for a long time prior to the commencement of works on Briwet bridge.
The cynic in me is thinking that it's mighty convenient that there were no trains left at the Pwllheli end by ATW...
(we all realise it's a not for growth franchise don't we?)
merlodlliw
Established Member
Dai Tacsi is doing a good trade in ferrying ATW staff based at Pwllheli
anyone know if 158s are stabled at Harlech overnight,I notice after two weeks not a mention of a trainconnection on the Sunday service bus timetable http://www.journeycheck.com/arrivat...rlech to Pwllheli SUN.pdf?webMessageId=944103
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robschopper
Member
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- 21 Mar 2011
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No, the last from Machynlleth to Harlech returns to Mach Empty.
Llanigraham
On Moderation
Edit.
Ooops
Ooops
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merlodlliw
Established Member
Just wondered,presume for security of stock,at Pwllhelli do they still stable there
for the first up when things are OK
robschopper
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Yes. The 21:20 off Machynlleth gets in to Pwllheli at sometime after 23:00 and stables in the siding adjacent to the platform road. It then works the first up service in the morning. That is all assuming the bridge is open at Penrhyn!
I see despite Network Rail promising the line will reopen most days this week they have delayed the reopening now till the middle of next week. I realise the complexity of the situation but constantly promising opening times later in that day and then canceling at the last minute over and over is getting beyond a joke. Does anyone know what's caused this extra delay and what likelihood there is that it will actually reopen next week?
merlodlliw
Established Member
ATW put out a media statement which appeared in yesterdays local Daily Post,it stated the line would open today(Friday) from first train.It had a picture of test trains using the bridge.
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0B00
Member
Road transport has been booked from coach operators until end of service on Sunday 8/12/13 at least.
Now closed indefinitely!!!!!!
jones_bangor
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Oh dear. 2 tonne limit for road vehicles, I guess a 40 tonne per car 158 ain't a good idea with subsiding bridge.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
December 9th latest forecast.
Llanigraham
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