Work on bridge 1 (Broadway) has started ! The photographs below were taken today, during a normal working day at the Broadway station site.

Site office installed on the Broadway station approach

The up line bridge deck exposed

 The ends of the deck are severely nibbled by rust, giving views of the road underneath - the grey line in the hole below is the edge of the road on the opposite side.

Rust damage in the decking

Rust damage on the corner

Terracotta tile covering partially removed - view towards Broadway station site

Corner pilaster decapitated and base out of true.

Balustrade completely rusted through.

The moth eaten balustrades are too badly damaged to be repaired, and will be replaced with new in identical form. It is also intended to update the warning signage on the bridge, once repaired.

Balustrade on the eastern side.

The view east shows a large grey patch. This was fitted by BR in 1975 following a major bridge strike. We would like more details of this - who knows the date it took place, could describe it, has a photograph or newspaper article perhaps? The bridge was hit by a 360 digger on the back of an articulated lorry, returning it from a job at a nearby quarry. It is the biggest strike the bridge has suffered - at the time there was no bypass - but there have been several smaller ones since, which are still visible, and which will now be repaired.