15th February, 2024 by East Somerset Railway
Currently, work is ongoing to install the footbridge foundations. Piling will begin on the 26th February, and is expected to last four weeks.
Preparation work will happen in March, April and May with the installation of the new bridge and lifts to begin in June.
Work to dismantle the current footbridge will start in the second half of June and they
are currently on course to complete the project in autumn later this year.
We expect to receive the dismantled footbridge shortly after Network Rail dismantle it, and store the 3 main sections in the tanker sidings over the Summer – this will give us the opportunity to do any restoration work and paint the bridge in ESR or GWR colours prior to lifting it into place at Cranmore. (currently it is in the Network Rail blue livery).
The ESR have engaged Cass Hayward Structural Engineers to assist us with the design of our foundations for the relocated bridge and we expect our construction works will commence in the 2024/25 close season."
Photographs:- Katherine Smith/BAM Nuttall
Part of the up platform (1) retaining wall constructed. This will be clad in a granite block wall to be in keeping with the surrounding station walls - the new lift shaft pit is to the right in the photo behind the steel reinforcing
Progress of the construction of the down platform (2) retaining wall to widen the platform
Gary Amos - Volunteer Project Manager