ENGINEERING WORK STARTS ON TEIGNMOUTH BRIDGE

Wednesday 4 Dec 2002

ENGINEERING WORK STARTS ON TEIGNMOUTH BRIDGE

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

Essential engineering work by Network Rail on a road-over-railway bridge near Teignmouth Station begins this week. An arch on the side span of Myrtle Hill Bridge, constructed in 1863, was once used for access to sidings but is now redundant. The proposed works will include the infill of the structure to support and strengthen the existing road, and the upgrading of the parapets. New engineering techniques will be used to ensure that the work conforms to designs for the bridge that are sympathetic to the surrounding environment. This new technology will also avoid the need to remove the bridge deck or close the bridge during the works. Traffic lights will be needed to manage traffic for short periods only. The project is expected to cost around £300,000 and it is hoped that work will be completed by March 2003. Network Rail Project Manager, Anna Cornish, said: “We would like to apologise to motorists and local residents for any inconvenience caused while the work is carried out. However, our aim at Network Rail is to provide a safe and reliable rail infrastructure and this bridge strengthening work forms an important part of that commitment.” -more- Teignmouth Bridge - 2 The engineering work due to be carried out by Network Rail is part of a multi-million pound strengthening/replacement programme to bring key bridges in line with a new EU directive that requires them to have a load-bearing capacity of 40 tonnes.

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