Wednesday 14th October; Spot the Difference…?!. E.O.Railway

The sharp-eyed observer may have spotted something's different at North Weald.... the concrete footbridge was safely demolished this morning. This structure had been suffering for many years from concrete “blow” due to the metal reinforcing being cast too close to the sides. The extent of concrete loss and reinforcing rod rusting had made the structure unsafe, so the decision was taken to remove this safely while the track is being relaid and to avoid disruption to trains in the future and remove the safety risk from fracturing concrete falling onto the platforms below.

Concrete bridges identical to the one at North Weald are still in use in many locations locally, including on the mainline (for example at Pitsea), and have survived the years much better. Very shortly the footbridge will be replaced, with a structure that is being restored off-site and will be craned in before re-opening so our passengers can safely get to Platform 1 and will sure to continue to offer an excellent vantage point across the picturesque Great Eastern station.





More...