Spa Valley Bridge Strike

I'm sorry that you take it that way, but we have an appeal we are being asked to contribute to but precious little information.

My 'Criticism' is rather in sorrow than anger but there must by now be more details that could be provided, for example is the identity of the vehicle known? I would expect that there would be some indication as to the level of damage etc etc.....................

 

Well said.

Unlike the national network who can call on the resources of a properly qualified structural engineer 24/7 (a service which does not come cheap by the way) or who has large quantities of staff / equipment / cash to hand, bridge bashes on the likes of the Spa Valley will always take some time to resolve with corresponding hit on revenue generation.

As such they should be receiving support not criticism at this time.

 

Possibly, but I'd also be mindful of the other jobs that the Spa Valley's team have to deal with - especially if by "staff" we actually mean "unpaid volunteers".

 

This is an unofficial update although I am a member of the railways Leadership committee. I understand Our Independent Civil Engineer attended site this morning and sadly the Bridge must be repaired before any rail traffic is allowed over it.
A bridge repair firm who had earlier this year undertaken repairs to the bridge following earlier strikes was planned to be in attendance so I would expect such repairs would have been discussed and agreed with the CE. It therefore 'just' requires the County highways department to agree an emergency road closure. This not as straight forward as people might think as the bridge is on a road with both East Sussex and Kent Council interests and getting a road closure involves both highways authorities.

I know that the GM and Chairman of the Spa would like to update folk officially ASAP on all media but we are an all volunteer railway and they both have full time day jobs. The priority for them has been to get the authorities interested, update staff, arrange and amend services and contact affected customers with prior bookings and I have personally been impressed with the amount they have managed to achieve thus far.

Just a comment that getting money from insurers is not a case of ringing up and the cheques in the post, we only got a few weeks back a cheque for a strike in 2o14.

Thanks to all that have expressed and sent good wishes

Brian

 

Thank you for that

 

Apologies for not being able to to get on on here to update myself, I have a full time job outside of the Spa and I wasn't expecting to be faced with this situation, not everyday your railway gets broken in half...

Anyway, an update.

It is all now planned in that Broom Lane Bridge will be repaired next week, subject to the work being successful and no other damage being discovered we shall return to a full line operation for Saturday 30th & Sunday 1st October. This is a Day Out With Thomas, the first public services back to Eridge will be on Saturday 14th October after what will have been an absence for around 5 weeks.

The next enthusiast event is our Autumn Diesel Gala & CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival taking place from 20th to 22nd October, full details can be found here:
https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/19/beerfestival2017

Jonnie Wesson
General Manager
Spa Valley Railway.

 

Bridge repaired and line re-opened today!

 

Agreed. From working on the other side and dealing with bridge strikes for the big railway where the cost to the business can be astronomical, we have been recently noticing that even if it's a "hit and run", the insurance company won't pay out to the haulier on damage to the vehicle caused by a bridge strike unless they have proof that they have notified Network Rail.

 

That is as it should be, good on the Insurers

 

If it's not confidential it would be interesting to know how much this repair cost.

(If it is confidential please ignore!)