Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

See http://www.sugarloafpub.co.uk/ 

[TonyK]

I have only been there twice, the second occasion being my retirement. It sells beer, so it's fine.

See http://www.sugarloafpub.co.uk/ 

No idea what the gallery is all about. I don't recall seeing anyone that good looking there, at least not until my third pint.

[Bmblbzzz]

Observed the new look cutting from train level on Saturday, it's quite impressive. And later I even cycled along the realigned cycle path. It's been moved from the rugby club's drive to running along the embankment edge, presumably because the playing fields are being built over. From the cyclist's pov. this realignment is not a good thing, mainly because visibility of the road is limited by the bridge parapet. But the track work is coming along nicely.

[TonyK]

That bridge parapet is a bit urgent following the addition of extra courses of bricks and coping stones. Given the electrification won't pass under them for a while, it seems a bit OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website), in more ways than one.

[Red Squirrel]

Been out for a bit of exercise this morning, and took a few photos:

1. Site of Ashley Hill station, looking towards Narroways. This is clearly a major access point for the works:



2. North of Stapleton Rd viaduct, beside M32 looking towards the viaduct. Even I got the message!



3. Under the viaduct. Something's afoot...

[TonyK]

That's a long closure! Nice update, Red Squirrel.

[TonyK]

Stapleton Road viaduct is to come down this week, it seems! The Bristol Post reports:

Stapleton Road to close for the entire weekend as viaduct is demolished
‘Unavoidably noisy’ work is due to start on Monday (July 24)


Photo by Network Rail

Work to knock down the bridge will start on Monday (July 24) and will last until the first day of September.

The busy street will be closed to both traffic and pedestrians from 9pm next Friday (July 28) until 6am on Monday (July 31).

Kate Trevorrow from Network Rail said: “I’d like to thank residents in the Stapleton Road area for their patience as we undertake this work as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“This work is unavoidably noisy, but residents should be assured that our engineers will do all they can to keep this noise to a minimum.

“Residents that may be affected by this have been notified of this work and we’ve also held public information events in the area which have been widely publicised.

“The replacement of the Stapleton Road viaduct is a crucial part of our project to double the number of lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood station. It will play its part in enabling more frequent and reliable services to operate in the area, delivering a better railway for Bristol and beyond.”

Network Rail said the viaduct is being replaced because of growth in passenger numbers in Bristol.

The number of trains will be doubling the number of rails lines from two to four to enable train services to be increased.

During the weekend road closure diversion signs will be put in place.

The footpath and access ramp from Stapleton Road to platform two of Stapleton Road Station will be closed on that weekend.


Platform two will only be accessible from the St Mark’s Road entrance, next to the Sugar Loaf Pub, or by using the platform one footbridge.

Network Rail’s 24 hour national helpline is available on 03457 11 41 41 for residents with any questions or concerns about this work.

[johnneyw]

From what I have read it looks like full removal will take rather more than a week. Look how long it took for the Temple Meads conveyor bridge, more than a month there I seem to remember. It surely has to be cut up into removable bits although with the trackside access I suppose you can haul away bigger chunks than at Temple Meads.

[TonyK]

From what I have read it looks like full removal will take rather more than a week. Look how long it took for the Temple Meads conveyor bridge, more than a month there I seem to remember. It surely has to be cut up into removable bits although with the trackside access I suppose you can haul away bigger chunks than at Temple Meads.

Mumps Bridge in Oldham came down practically overnight. The decking was removed, then the road closed to allow a couple of big diggers and a crane in. They held one side of the bridge at a time whilst men in orange attacked it with disc cutters. The pieces were moved to the side of the road to be cut up. I don't think Stapleton Road will be any trickier - although it still has a railway running alongside, which Mumps did not.

[johnneyw]

Blimey, that's a bit impressive. If only other Network Rail works were that quick. That would mean 4 track next month!😀

[TonyK]

Blimey, that's a bit impressive. If only other Network Rail works were that quick. That would mean 4 track next month!😀

I want Four Track, Now!

In fairness, it was all, like my signature paella, in the preppy uppy.

See it here on Youtube (the bridge, not the paella).

[TonyK]

There is plant in place on what was platforms 3 and 4 at Stapleton Road station. I only had the phone with me:



The picture taken, I came over all thirsty all of a sudden, and went to the Sugar Lumps for one of them pints. Otter, as it happened. :cheers:

[Red Squirrel]

Went down for a final look at Stapleton Road Viaduct, which is due for demolition on the weekend of 29/30 July 2017. Here's what I saw:

Looking west from Stapleton Road towards M32; note temporary blue supports underneath. It appears that the spans are to be cut up rather than removed complete, so these supports will retain the stubs. The original stone viaduct, which is still in use, can be seen behind. It looks like it is overdue the attention of NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s Gardening Dept.


Looking north, taken from beneath the stone viaduct. The stacks of sleepers will presumably be laid on the roadway during the closure.


Poster indicating method of demolition:

[Red Squirrel]

Sunday update: First photo is taken from the same spot as Friday's. One complete span has gone, and the next is well on its way!



I couldn't get the reverse angle because my viewpoint was in the exclusion zone.

This image shows the newly-exposed abutment adjoining Stapleton Road Station:

[Bmblbzzz]

Did you take that today (Sunday?) Cos I went past it about 9 p.m. on Saturday and it looked almost exactly the same, apart from being floodlit.