Ashton Gate Swing Bridge

APW · Post by **APW** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:46 pm

Someone has welded scaffold pipes and copper mesh to the track:

http://apw6270.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

The railway part of the bridge is fenced off so it wouldn't be for safety, so what's it all for?

Post by **madhattie** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:34 am

The only thing I can think of is that the deck of the bridge has rusted badly enough that there are big holes in it and people might fall through if they walk on that side.

Or... The rails themselves are of a weight that a weakened bridge is being stressed by them. Welding them up and spreading the load might be all that's keeping it up.

APW · Post by **APW** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:35 pm

I'm not convinced it's for public safety or strength - the track is surrounded by a 6ft metal fence and if the bridge is that week it would be closed to the public.

I get the feeling it's in preparation for something Ã» perhaps to protect workmen whilst they strip and repaint the bridge.

But why use copper mesh?

Portishead Prowler · Post by **Portishead Prowler** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:58 pm

APW wrote: I get the feeling it's in preparation for something Ã» perhaps to protect workmen whilst they strip and repaint the bridge.

Possibly taking the bridge down altogether???

I think that some people view it as an eyesore nowadays. Remember it's next to the BCC offices for the built environment (or something like that) and they couldn't possibly be seen to be looking out the window at any thing so horrible![/i]

Post by **madhattie** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:38 pm

Okay, a mate reckons it was put down for filming an episode of Casualty. They had crew and cameras rolling up and down on it while filming people on the footpath part.

I'm a bit dubious about that explanation though!

stumpytrain · Post by **stumpytrain** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:13 am

I this it would be awfully sad if the bridge was to be demolished. Far better to invest some money in the structure - how about a charity to repair the brdige, relay the railway over it (give extra milage to the line and protecting its ability to be connected to the national network) and restore the road deck (as the footpath) above!

Back to reality Alex...

Alex
Bristol Panel

Rockers · Post by **Rockers** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:02 pm

They've just recently removed all the rail south of the bridge.
Always have a look on my way past.

Portishead Prowler · Post by **Portishead Prowler** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:07 pm

Rockers wrote:They've just recently removed all the rail south of the bridge.
Always have a look on my way past.

Yeah I noticed that. Have to say the old sidings ground is great for arseing around on a mountain bike.

John Ball · Post by **John Ball** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:32 am

How far do trains ever run these days from Bristol Harbour? In the mid/late 1990s there used to be the occasional trip at the end of the day after shuttling to and from SS Great Britain, going under the road bridge and alongside the river Avon and past the old warehouses to stop just short of the Ashton bridge. I was lucky enough to travel on one of these and it was a lovely bit of branch line experience.

John

Post by **madhattie** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:55 pm

They still run down there John, in fact, they were running down there last Sunday! I was chasing it on my bike along the cyclepath with the little 'uns screaming in terror/pleasure strapped to the back of my bike!

John Ball · Post by **John Ball** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:58 pm

You're giving them a great education, Madhattie!

Where can you find out about what's happening on Bristol Harbour Railway? It has brilliant photographic potential. Once, back in 1997 or so I unwittingly 'gatecrashed' by pure coincidence a freight charter with USA tank. I have tried the City Council website, but don't seem to finds any detailed info.

John