A couple more updates can be posted for work done on Friday. In the order of the bridges, here is what we found:

Bridge 1, Broadway

After the deck was waterproofed with a resin coating on Thursday, the bridge received a protective textile, which will form a barrier between the resin and the track ballast that will be laid on top. Looks very cosy, doesn't it? Picture with thanks to Ron Taylor of the Broadway gang. Your blogger had a naughty weekend... he was away at the K&ESR! Now there's another railway building an extension and a station....

Bridge 2, Childswickham Road
During our visit on Friday it was pouring with rain, but we did see that the scaffolders were in action here. A picture proved impractical, so patience please.

Bridge 4, Peasebrook Farm

The steelworkers were back on Friday and fitted the new handrails on each side of the bridge. Nothing has been done with the decking this time (normally the handrails would go on last) but discussions are taking place on how to best address the troughing, damaged by rust where it rests on the abutments.

Bridge 5, Little Buckland

This is nearing completion, and we have been keen to to get the road open again as soon as possible.

Textile fitted to bridge 5

As Broadway, this bridge has also received a coating of resin, and once dry, the protective felt. This still has to be cut to shape and welded together.

 

Completed wing wall, in the pouring rain. Nice. Big lump of concrete in there now, holding it all up. Compare with the picture on our title page, it's the same corner.

The scaffolding has all gone, as has the security fencing. The brickwork is all completed (other than a bit of pointing and the fitting of the pilaster cap stones ), and the bird netting has been fitted on top of the abutment under the deck:

Bird netting in place (a bit faint, it's inside the deck, on top of the abutments)

The embankment is virtually back to its former level, whilst retaining the roadway through to bridge 4.

George Law's men were just about to sweep the road when we came to look on Friday, and then lay the signs flat for collection. So the road was probably technically open late that afternoon, another one that is off the list. Phew !

There is still some fencing to be installed down the wing wall slopes, ballast boards to fit to the steelwork, then the laying of ballast on the waterproofing felt. Then the final act will be the installation of the parapets – about Monday week (after delays at the factory making them!).