Victoria Road/Heath Park Road Railway Bridge Situation Update, 13th January 2012

The Council’s bridge engineering consultants had a telephone conference with Network Rail’s engineers in the week before Christmas where Network Rail’s detailed structural review report was discussed.  Our consultants pointed out some issues which they felt needed checking and clarifying which was followed up immediately after Christmas with some detailed comments. Our consultants have also completed a risk assessment (following a National model for doing so) into the implications of reopening the bridge with temporary footway protection.
 
The outcome of the risk assessment is that the bridge has stood for approximately 120 years without apparent incident and with the information contained within Network Rail’s current detailed assessment report, it can be reopened to all classes of traffic with temporary footway protection (a steel barrier system for example).  This is considered fully adequate to be in place for up to 18 months which will then allow the Council and its consultants to further discuss the issues with Network Rail; for Network Rail to undertake some more detailed work (if they accept the issues raised by our consultants) and then for an agreement to be reached for a permanent solution which may require permanent footway protection. 

The Council’s consultants submitted the risk assessment to Network Rail on 13th  January 2012, with a further request for a face to face meeting.