Somerleyton Swing Bridge

[lincolnshire]

The "normal" position for Breydon Water was open to river traffic. As the signal box was a turret on the top of the central span this meant the signaller had to be able to row - but it was not only the signaller, the S&T staff also had to be able to use the boat in case they had to get to the bridge in event of some kind of fault.

Many, many years ago, as a young teenager, I was involved with a problem with Reedham Swing Bridge where the cable from the signal box to the top of the swing bridge that controlled the equipment within the bridge fulcrum was coming away from it's metallic bearer and getting close to the top of trains. We decided that we would use a two stage ladder to access the cable and re-tie it to it's supporting cable. As the lightest I was nominated to climb the ladder whilst the others held it. Needless to say the wind took a part and the ladder, being two stage, started to whip and I ended up in the river, the current took me towards Yarmouth. When I got to the bank and clambered out covered in mud I was far from happy!

Good job it was many years ago that it happened, just imagine the risk assessments and health and safety if it had happened now.

 

[Tio Terry]

Good job it was many years ago that it happened, just imagine the risk assessments and health and safety if it had happened now.

Pre-1974, before we had a Health & Safety at Work Act. A lot has changed with railway staff safety since I joined BR in 1964.

 

[Trainfan344]

I've passed over this bridge today and noticed a 10mph Temporary speed restriction (TSR) on the Norwich bound line. Is this applicable in both directions and due to the age of the bridge?

 

[D Foster]

And would have to be high enough for the tallest masted boat to get under it!!

They should teach the boat people to duck!

I used to know someone who had been a Master on Rhine barges. If they were close to being blocked from passing under certain bridges by the state of a rising tide they would set the vessel rocking fore-and-aft. When they got the timing and distance right they could dip the bridge house under bridges. When anyone got it wrong - Oops! :eek:

 

[Trog]

I may be one of the few people who have swung all 4 bridges in Anglia.

Both ways?

 

[Bald Rick]

Both ways?

Very strictly one way only.

 

[306024]

I've passed over this bridge today and noticed a 10mph Temporary speed restriction (TSR) on the Norwich bound line. Is this applicable in both directions and due to the age of the bridge?

It has been there at least since the problem which prompted this thread. On both roads.

 

[lincolnshire]

Very strictly one way only.

Well if you had been working Goole Swing bridge or Hull River bridge you can swing either way with them two bridges.

Selby Swing bridge is an only one way one.

 

[Rick1984]

I ended up in the river, the current took me towards Yarmouth. When I got to the bank and clambered out covered in mud I was far from happy!

Working as a Merchant Seaman in Yarmouth and knowing the strong tide, I have to say you where luckily not to get washed out to sea!

 

[Murph]

I'm not familiar with the waterway in question, but the standard starting point for air-draught at Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) for the free passage of tall ships is about 25 metres ... the Manchester Ship Canal typically has about 23m.

That said, one the Waveney's bridges appears to have 7 feet, so perhaps it isn't such an issue.

In the case of the Caledonian Canal, the current maximum allowed height on the canal is 35m above water level, although the sea-to-sea passage is slightly restricted to 29m above mean high water springs by the Kessock Bridge (which comes close to 35m clearance at lowest astronomical tide). Those clearances are actively used by canal traffic, with 20m and taller masts not being terribly unusual.

 

[Tio Terry]

Working as a Merchant Seaman in Yarmouth and knowing the strong tide, I have to say you where luckily not to get washed out to sea!

Thrown in Lowestoft side of the pivot rather than mid-stream, not quite so bad there, but very muddy when I clambered out through the reeds.