A38 Gloucester Road bridge

[madhattie]

The old A38 bridge across the railway has had a scaffold structure erected alongside. It also looks like the foundations and steelwork for a new bridge have been put in place. Anyone know what's going on?

[Rich_Eason]

I posted this on your Flickr page but then realised the thread here

I know in the past the bridge has suffered with structural problems...however locally I've not heard of any future work.

The orange and galv coloured "soldiers" are usuaully used to support formwork for casting concrete...perhaps widening of the bridge? However in their current posistions there isnt enough soldiers to support anything...and the ladder beams dont align with anything... so might be one to keep an eye on....

Or...

Could be something as simple as preparation for re-pointing the brickwork on the outside face of the bridge.

Basically about 10/12 years ago the bridge was suffering structural problems and which is why now the red and white bollards were installed to concentrate loads to the middle of the bridge.

From the pic the use of the Soldiers (Strong Boys) suggests thats either somthing substantial is going to be loaded on to them (They are usually used for concrete formwork) or they are providing lateral support for the scaffold (more likely) - notice Scafold tower nearest railway line.

I've not heard locally however as mentioned above I think it is either a project to strenghten the bridge or to undertake maintainance.

[madhattie]

I thought I'd ask on Flickr because I know quite a few members live locally to the bridge. Thought they might know something!

[BristleGWR]

Bridge strengthening works. Please see here http://www.charltonhayes.info/

[Rich_Eason]

This is going to cause some traffic fun!

[Agency_Scum]

Cyclepath maybe? Too slender for traffic but maybe strong enough for bicycles.