Barmouth Bridge Refurbishment

[EbbwJunction1]

There's a story in today's Western mail that Network Rail have agreed a programme of refurbishment to start in June and last for three years.

This is (hopefully) a link to the story:

Victorian built Barmouth Viaduct getting a £25m revamp

Work will start on the project in Gwynedd next month

www.business-live.co.uk

but it's also here:

"A £25m revamp of rail’s Victorian built Barmouth Viaduct in Gwynedd has been confirmed by Network Rail.

Work on the grade II listed structure, built in 1865, will include replacing a large number of the timber and metal elements of the viaduct, as well as replacing the entire length of track.
The viaduct is located on the Cambrian Coast line, between Pwllheli and Machynlleth. Some 820 metres in length it is the only major timber-built bridge still in use. Work will begin next month and take three years to complete. The viaduct will be closed for three short period, the fist being this autumn.

Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director for Wales and Borders, said: “Barmouth Viaduct is one of the most celebrated and recognisable structures in Wales and is the only major timber-built bridge still in use. We are investing £25m to give Barmouth Viaduct the biggest upgrade in its history, protecting our industrial heritage and ensuring this vital transport link can continue to serve local people and visitors, when the time comes, for generations to come. We have been working closely with Cadw, Gwynedd County Council and other stakeholders over several years to develop our plans. I want to reassure the local community that we have adapted these plans to make sure we are following government guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “The Barmouth Viaduct is an iconic part of Wales’ railway heritage and I am pleased that it is benefiting from a portion of the £2bn UK Government investment in the Wales and Borders network to preserve and upgrade it. The upgrades by Network Rail will secure the important link between Machynlleth and Pwllheli and protect a popular part of the Wales coastal route. Together with the £8.5bn investment in Great Western Rail’s Intercity Express trains and electrification between London Paddington and south Wales, and upgrades to North Wales railway lines, the UK Government is delivering improvements in rail infrastructure and improving journeys for passengers in every part of Wales.”

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: "I have seen for myself how important the viaduct is to the community so this is welcome investment. As well as being an important transport link it is historically significant infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing these plans taken forward.”

James Price, chief executive of the Welsh Government’s transport, body, Transport for Wales said: “We’re working collaboratively to ensure minimal disruption for our passengers while work takes place. As our services will be affected, it’s important for anyone travelling on the Cambrian Line to check before you travel, in case of any changes to our timetables."

Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionydd, Liz Saville Roberts, said: “I am pleased Network Rail has set-out a firm timetable to restore this iconic structure, the only major timber railway bridge that is still in use today. This substantial investment will safeguard Barmouth Viaduct for future generations, strengthening ties among communities along the Cambrian coast and serving as a vital tourism link. None of this would have been possible without effective cooperation between partner agencies and local stakeholders. I look forward to seeing how the work progresses.”

Originally built with a drawbridge on the northern end, but this was replaced with a steel swing bridge in 1900."

Good news … !

 

[Bletchleyite]

Will the footbridge be retained? Seems an opportunity to improve that.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Will the footbridge be retained? Seems an opportunity to improve that.

I don't know, and it's not mentioned in the article. I guess that you'd have to ask Network Rail about that.

 

[The_Train]

Read about this yesterday and it really is fantastic news that something so iconic is to be revamped to give it many more years of life

 

[pdeaves]

Will the footbridge be retained? Seems an opportunity to improve that.

It will undoubtedly be retained. There would be a furore if it were removed. I suspect it's a right of way.

 

[civ-eng-jim]

Will the footbridge be retained? Seems an opportunity to improve that.

I seem to recall that wasn't Network Rail's responsibility to maintain, hence the toll booths. The local authority was consulting on whether to close it a few years back - I've not been for a while. I would have thought it would be retained as it's a great link for cycling, walking....and, to my surprise, motorbikes are allowed too.

 

[Llanigraham]

It will undoubtedly be retained. There would be a furore if it were removed. I suspect it's a right of way.

It is not a Public Right of Way and is not listed on the Definitive Map.
However it is a Permissive Path, owned by Network Rail.

 

[Llandudno]

Wasn’t there talk of improving the access to the footpath at the Barmouth end, as currently you have to walk a few hundred yards on the busy main road which has no pavement?

 

[bassmike]

I thought it was repaired back in the 70's?

 

[DelW]

It will undoubtedly be retained. There would be a furore if it were removed. I suspect it's a right of way.

It's shown on the OS 1:25000 map with green diamonds (recreational route) and orange circles (traffic free cycle route) - neither of which indicates it being a right of way. There was concern some years ago that the cost to the local authority of maintaining it could result in closure of the footway. The toll booth is unstaffed and relies on an honesty box system.

I thought it was repaired back in the 70's?

Some decades ago the bridge timbers were attacked by a marine worm (teredo worm?), which damage was repaired. I suspect that was mainly at or below water level, the current project may be more about superstructure and deck elements.

 

[WesternLancer]

It's shown on the OS 1:25000 map with green diamonds (recreational route) and orange circles (traffic free cycle route) - neither of which indicates it being a right of way. There was concern some years ago that the cost to the local authority of maintaining it could result in closure of the footway. The toll booth is unstaffed and relies on an honesty box system.

Some decades ago the bridge timbers were attacked by a marine worm (teredo worm?), which damage was repaired. I suspect that was mainly at or below water level, the current project may be more about superstructure and deck elements.

of note I just found:
1) Barmouth Bridge- Urgent closure - WORKS NOW COMPLETE: Some immediate and essential maintenance is required to the walkway of Barmouth Bridge. To allow this to be undertaken, whilst still maintaining social distancing, there is no alternative other than to close the walkway to all users for the duration of the works. The works involve the replacement of sections of handrail and loose sleeper boards and are likely to take 4-5 hours per day over the next few days (starting 29 April). The Council appreciate that the closure of this amenity during this time is particularly difficult for regular users and ask for your understanding and compliance.
from: https://www.meirionnyddramblers.org.uk/rights-of-way-update.html

 

[ABB125]

I'm sure I recall reading about some work to the viaduct being done recently, perhaps the last five years or so? Or was it a different location, of an I just imagining it?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

The last major repairs seem to have taken place in 2005, although what was done, I'm not sure.

The bridges was closed for a week in October 2016 to repair damage caused by a fire on it, but again, I'm not sure what was done. This may have been the work that you remember, ABB125?

EDIT: There's another bridge (called Pont Briwet) further north, which is the road and railway bridge that crosses the River Dwyryd near Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd. This was closed in 2013 and reopened in stages (rail first, road afterwards) by 2015. So, alternatively, this may have been the work that you remember, ABB125?

 

[ABB125]

The last major repairs seem to have taken place in 2005, although what was done, I'm not sure.

The bridges was closed for a week in October 2016 to repair damage caused by a fire on it, but again, I'm not sure what was done. This may have been the work that you remember, ABB125?

EDIT: There's another bridge (called Pont Briwet) further north, which is the road and railway bridge that crosses the River Dwyryd near Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd. This was closed in 2013 and reopened in stages (rail first, road afterwards) by 2015. So, alternatively, this may have been the work that you remember, ABB125?

I think the fire rings a bell, so that's probably it. Thanks!

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I think the fire rings a bell, so that's probably it. Thanks!

No problems!

 

[Caz7837]

Will the footbridge be retained? Seems an opportunity to improve that.

The footpath on the Viaduct will be retained with the works that are going to take place - will be closed when the works are on.

Work was done on the Viaduct in 2017 before the 150th birthday celebrations and more done again after this but these works will be the major ones in recent years

 

[1955LR]

I got talking to one of some Network Rail staff when I was walking over the bridge probably a couple of years ago . They were having a meeting of some sort to review the necessary remedial work , and showed me some areas on the swing part that had been shot blasted to check the corrosion of the steel. I was surprised how thin the metal was left in places, I can only assume that it was fortunately well over engineered in the first place.

 

[xc170]

I thought it was repaired back in the 70's?

You realise the 70's were 40 years ago?