Great Western Coffee Shop

The massive metal cables securing the 47-year-old Tamar Bridge are to undergo detailed inspection to discover if they have weakened by rust (link below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=19905570&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466

There's a one word answer to that - "Brunel".

Brunel's Bridge over the Tamar is far more graceful than the concrete and cable road bridge, however IF the road bridge was closed for repairs, I just wonder How much Busy Bodmin Parkway, Liskeard, Menheniot, St Germans, Saltash, St Budeaux F Rd, Keyham, Dockyard, Devonport and Plymouth stations would become whilst motorists had to travel by Rail or Torpoint Ferry.

Would FGW run extra services? ;D
Increase train length?  ;D

Expect Network Rail would close the Rail Bridge at the same time for enginering works.  ::)

This is a problem affecting all suspension bridges in the world. On the BBC's Coast programme they monitior the cables with tiny microphones - you could hear individual strands of steel snapping!

I think the 'old' Severn Bridge is particularly badly affected.

Hee Hee, If you want to be put off EVER going across the Tamar Road Suspension Bridge, just leave the Car at the Car park over looking the Bridges and Walk over to Saltash. ;D

How about a second Brunel Bridge (eliminate the single track bottle neck) and a second double track Severn Tunnel?

They would be cheaper than new road bridges.

I have always wondered why they (insted of building a new road bridge) that they did not just build a new straight (i.e. greater than 15 mph!) double track rail and 4 lane road bridge.

The old Brunel bridge could be converted to a cycle-way and dedicated footpath.

That would improve the journey for 3 greener forms of transport!

Thanks, smokey!

That brings back memories of a school trip, when I must have been about 9 or 10, living in Plymstock: we were taken by coach to the Tamar Bridge (it was quite new, then!) and we walked across it. I still remember classmates gripping hands together and turning green as the bridge 'swayed'!

 :P

Brunel built the land-spans of the Royal Albert Bridge on a curve for a solid reason.
Hint: Try standing a straight sheet of A4 paper on it's side, try again with just a gentle curve!

The 15mph restriction on the Bridge is because of the viabrations that occur in the Tube sections of the bridge.

Never knew/thought of those points!

Is there any way the speed could be increased?

BR ran Test Trains over Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge.

Started at 5 mph then 10, 15 then 20mph.

Test instruments went off the SCALE at 20 mph :o , so would think we are stuck with 15mph for many years to come.

Anyway for most passengers it's a great view going over the River :)

It's quite  nice going over the Royal Albert Bridge at slow speed, Brunel was a bit short sighted only building it single track though ;)

May be it was short sighted to build the Royal Albert Bridge Single line, but a double track bridge would have cost more than DOUBLE, and most Viaducts in the South West were Timber on Stone piers, built this way (AGAINST Brunel's wishes) to Save on construction costs.