Monday 15 Mar 2004
NETWORK RAIL AND BROADS AUTHORITY BUILD BRIDGES
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Southern
Network Rail and the Broads Authority had a constructive meeting on Thursday 10 March concerning the operation of Trowse swingbridge.
Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail General Manager said: “We have had some problems with Trowse swingbridge and wanted to keep the Broads Authority updated on the progress of work. It is important that they are able to let river users know the latest developments.”
Trowse has been closed to river traffic since 15 October 2003 due to some unique joints on the structure needing replacing. Behind the scenes, negotiations have been taking place with the manufacturer to get new ‘scarf’ joints, which attach the rails together when the bridge is closed, delivered as soon as possible.
Mr Hallgate continued: “Parts on the north side of the bridge have been renewed but unexpected rapid deterioration was identified on the south side and we took immediate action to make the bridge safe. This led to its closure.”
Trudi Wakelin, River Engineer, Broads Authority said: “Network Rail has explained the situation to us in great detail and although we are disappointed with the closure we do understand their restrictions. The meeting also gave us the opportunity to discuss how we will work together in the future.”
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Trowse – 2
The new parts will be installed on Sunday 13 June 2004 and the bridge will be reopened to river traffic on Monday 14 June 2004. After this time Network Rail and the Broads Authority have agreed a new way of working together.
Mr Hallgate explained: “We have decided that the best way forward is to have published bridge opening times for river users. There are a number of advantages: trains will not be disrupted, boats will not have to wait and will be guaranteed passage on the River Wensum. We are confident that this new system is a good compromise that will benefit both boats and trains.”
From 14 June 2004 the bridge will be opened at the following times:
o Mon – Fri: 0920, 10.42, 15.17, 18.19
o Saturday: 09.42, 12.28, 14.37, 16.36
o Sunday: 09.32, 11.02, 13.27, 17.40
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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