Media centre

Wednesday 26 Apr 2006

MEDIA INVITATION: BRUNEL’S ROYAL ALBERT BRIDGE UNVEILED IN ALL ITS GLORY

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National

AERIAL FOOTAGE AND PHOTOS OF THE UNVEILING OF THE ROYAL ALBERT BRIDGE WILL BE AVAILABLE Date:              Tuesday 16 May Time:             13:30 lunch and the grand unveiling at 15:00 Who:                          Network Rail Chairman Ian McAllister and local                                                    structures engineers will be available for interview prior to the                            unveiling.  If wish to interview, please contact the press office Venue:          Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash                       RSVP:           Press Office 01793 515267 To celebrate the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birth, we are pleased to invite journalists to the unveiling of the great engineers’ name that has been hidden on the Royal Albert Bridge for decades. Network Rail is relocating the access platforms to the end portals of the bridge.  This will allow the letters ‘I.K.BRUNEL ENGINEER 1859’ to be seen in their full glory.  These platforms are crucial in providing access into the tubes that support the entire structure. The Royal Albert Bridge spans the River Tamar between Plymouth and Saltash.  The bridge is seen as the gateway to Cornwall and the Brunel name dominates each end. Network Rail’s Chairman Ian McAllister will be available for interview at this unique occasion prior to the unveiling.  Engineers will also be on hand to talk about this iconic structure and how they balance maintaining the legacy of Brunel with running a modern railway. There is no parking on site so a shuttle bus will be provided to and from Plymouth Station, although if you have broadcast equipment, alternative arrangements can be made.  If you would like to use the bus, please advise us of your arrival time, or let us know if you need us to make alternative arrangements.