Network Rail donate footbridge to Stainmore Railway

Some very good points here. It took a long time to get Hall Green signal box rebuilt at Winchcombe so Cheltenham Race Course and Gotherington boxes were steel frame structures clad in reconstituted stone built relatively quickly to get the southern end of the line signalling operable. The original wooden signal box at Cheltenham Race Course had long gone of course and a wooden replacement... well, how long would that last in the early 21st Century? Monmouth Troy Station building is today a gem at Winchcombe. Opinions also come into play here. IMO the toilet block doesn't look out of place at all and the bridge looks good, not ideal but still good. As time goes on, the heritage railways may seek to make their lines more authentic but, by that time, many people who really care about such things sadly will be dust.

 

I think it was more aimed at the strangely worded posts that come from louis.pole

 

Unfortunately any 'new' construction (which I understand also includes relocated buildings) is subject to building regulations which dictate all manner of things which go directly against rebuilding with traditional methods/styles. Windows being a case in point. Modern methods such as double glazing and insulation also reduce running costs.
If the use of the 'new' building involves public access there are a series of rules and regulations that can not be ignored. Buildings designed to 19th century norms are expensive to adapt or just plain unsuitable.

Most heritage sites are cash strapped so the choice is generally spending extra money to relocate and adapt a traditional building or a modern 'imitation' built for less. There are exceptions and grants, sponsorship etc can make a difference, but if we think that the general public will pay £1 extra per cup of coffee in a highly original hopelessly small station buffet then perhaps we should be sniffing the coffee instead of drinking it.
I know that many will think that it is not preservation but if the building has gone already what are you preserving? Taken to an extreme it's like saying that all new terraced houses should not have an internal toilet but just an outhouse down at the end of the yard. I am not sure that you would get that much custom if you built houses in that way.
You can never 'preserve' something you use.

 

Wilmcote is the jewel in the crown and should be safe. The cheapest option for disabled access would most likely be a path from the road overbridge rather than new build. Besides us locals dont want to loose it.

There is an issue here regarding the design of Henley footbridge. It is GWR in that it belongs to the 1908 extension but is to a very plain design compared to Wilmcote and S-o-A which are a much more detailed design with the cast mouldings, seen in Martins picture picked out in white. Suprisingly Wilmcote is quoted in a local history as 1907, having been rebuilt south of the road bridge. The bridge at Henley also carried a footpath, which I have on occasion used to get to the golf club, and hence has public as well as railway entrances. It would therefore require modification. Other bridges on the line have been mentioned which are probably more suitable than Henley.

In MHO Henley footbrigdge whist GWR built does not shout its maker and would not look out of place in any part of the country

 

I'd hope so, the concern I have there is I seem to recall the pavement on the road bridge is on the narrow side ?.

 

You are quite right and the road itself is quite narrow. I didnt think I would say this but perhaps this would be a place for a virtual pavement on the Henley St model. to allow disabled access. A virtual pavement is level with the road but with a different surface allowing vecular access when necessary but defining an area for pedestrians. It works on continent but I am not sure BMW etc man would be able to understand the subtle message

 

See this link on the Coventry & Warwickshire Regional BBC regarding the planned relocation of the Henley in Arden Stn footbridge to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-24775765

"Work to replace an old footbridge and install a new lift at a railway station, delayed by bad weather last weekend, has begun. The government has funded the £2m work at the station in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. Network Rail delayed the start of the work after the Met Office issued an amber warning of high winds.

The old footbridge is being donated to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire heritage railway line.

The new footbridge and lift should be in place by Spring 2014, Network Rail said. A spokesman said the work would not disrupt services for passengers."

I cannot confirm whether this report is correct and have no other verification but that is what the BBC is reporting.

 

Further information here on the Broadway Station Blogsite.

http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/

It is worth noting the amazing progress being made by the Broadway Station restoration team, especially when one considers that all bricks have been sourced and reclaimed from elsewhere (apart from a very few items that remained at the Broadway site) and also that the platforms are quite a bit longer than the originals. Meanwhile the "Bridges to Broadway" Appeal continues. Onwards.

 

beat me to it, it will reside in andrew goodman's yard until a decision is made regarding its future, it will probbly end up on the railway somewhere, be it CRC or broadway, so that's good.

 

A happy ending then!

 

I'm pleased to note that common sense has prevailed re the HiA bridge. I do hope the good people at Wensleydale and Stainmore eventually find bridges that are more appropriate for their goals and geographical locations.

 

Most of the footbridge is now on its way to Andrew Goodman's yard where it will be stored having been removed today, there are some pictures on the broady blog http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/

 

So has Tim Brady moved on, or are you working alongside Tim?

 

I met up with a friend who has moved away at the weekend.
Me: 'So where are you living now'
Them: 'Henley in Arden'
Me: 'Oh yeah, they removed the footbridge the other day'
Them: 'How the hell did you know that?'

 

Further to the story RE: Hall Green footbridge, the polythene sheeting concealing the work going on has come off in the last few days, I haven't looked closely yet, but from the road bridge it appears to have survived in relatively the same condition without any nasty new additions or changes as opposed to repainting and overhauling, only minor gripe is like the "new" bridges at Shirley and Henley, it appears to have aquired carmine and cream livery, I know London Midland are the TOC, but it'll always be Western Region to me.

 

18th July 2014. UPDATE on the new footbridge at Henley in Arden.

I took a train from Henley last Friday evening and took a couple of photos. I was pleased with the new replacement. Its not too "modern" or ugly. What do you think?.....

http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p394362274#h19eb8716

 

I think NR have created a reasonable compromise between modern requirements and historic railway design