Media centre

Monday 23 Sep 2013

Major work to strengthen Hawarden railway bridge starts

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

A major £5.3m project to make the iconic Hawarden bridge across the River Dee stronger, allowing more trains to cross, is now underway.

The main truss of the railway bridge, which was built in 1887, will be strengthened with new steel plates and given a new coat of paint to protect it from corrosion and improve the bridge’s appearance.

Jonathan Pegg, director for route asset management, Network Rail Wales / Cymru said: “By carrying out this work, we are safeguarding the future of the railway in this area. Hawarden railway bridge serves thousands of passengers on the Borderlands line crossing the River Dee every day and this work will keep it going for many more years to come. A robust railway is vital to a thriving economy.”

Cllr Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council, cabinet member for Environment and Member for Connahs Quay Central said: It is good to see that important ongoing maintenance is to be carried out to Hawarden Railway Bridge to ensure its future life. The bridge continues to provide a vital route for both leisure and work purposes. "

The scheme will see the whole bridge sand blasted to remove old paint layers and then repainted. The work will be carried out in 30 metre sections and the structure will be encapsulated to protect the environment from dust and debris from the work.

This iconic bridge was opened in 1889 with the central span designed as a swing bridge to allow shipping to pass. The bridge has long-provided an important link between Deeside and the original John Summers and Sons steel works. This link now also provides access to the cycleway along the Dee embankment to Chester and to the Burton Point cycleway, improving access to the Wirral coastline.

The work will start on 23rd September and is expected to take about 12 months. The public walkway on the bridge will remain open to public throughout the duration of the work. – ends –