Dawlish News
The Institute of Civil Engineer's South West Minor Project of the Year Award 2013 has commended the use of fibre-reinforced-polymer composite (FRP) in the footbridge structure, which was originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1830 and is grade II listed.
Unfortunately, the station's steel footbridge, reconstructed in 1937, had deteriorated beyond economic repair and any replacement would need to be able to withstand the harsh elements of this exposed stretch of the Devon coastline.
The team challenged with delivering a solution was principal contractor BAM Nuttall, main designer Tony Gee and Partners with sub consultant Optima Projects, and bridge fabricators Pipex px, working in partnership with Network Rail.
According to Tony Gee and Partners, a new steel footbridge had been considered, but while this could be detailed to reduce the susceptibility to corrosion, the location was such that it could only restart the continued (and probably unwinnable) battle. Instead, a wholly FRP structure was proposed. This would both simplify installation (at only five tonnes, the new bridge weighs a third of the original) and, more critically, the extreme durability and corrosion resistant properties would significantly reduce whole life maintenance costs.
Two overnight possessions were planned; firstly for the removal of the existing steel footbridge and a week later for the new bridge to be installed. Both ran ahead of schedule with the line available to hand back to Network Rail several hours earlier than planned.
See more...http://www.netcomposites.com/news/dawlish-station-footbridge-renewal-is-highly-commended/8527
The text says the 1st bridge was designed in 1830, doesn't say when it was installed, but even if it was a few years after that it would show the original bridge stood for around a 100 years. The secomd bridge which was reconstructed in 1937 makes the current bridge 76 years old.
Not sure if the text is saying that the original bridge was grade 2 listed or the current one or both were.
In my opinion, if the second bridge had been regularly maintained it would still be going strong for many years. Alas in this time of massive management pay packets and meagre workers pay packets. The actual infrastructure, what ever utility it is, is run into the ground for the sake of short term yearly increased dividens for the shareholders and bonuses for those on high.
You only have to look at the poor condition of the actual railway bridge, in Dawlish, that was poorly cleaned and repainted last year or the year before. The corroded metal work was not repaired and the rust is already coming through the new paintwork.
Agreed. To congratulate themselves for this project is all very well, but the neglect by network rail is astonishing. This year they were forced to deal with some of the exposed ironworks on the beach after a number of us made formal complaints. The collapsing of the concrete block at the side of the cafe pushed them into more "stopgap" action, resulting in a concrete abortion of a job. Ugly and unpleasant on the eye, not even level, and yet the glorious conservation officer of Teignbridge seems to have no power to act. I too am sickened at the colour of the viaduct, and even more sickened to see the rust coming through.
Dawlish seems to take two steps forward and one back, at every turn. I've been to meetings and made suggestions but there is a brick wall attitude, or "we tried that in 19 blah de blah and it didn't work then."
I actually believe the town has the support of a large amount of the town councillors, but when it comes to the district or the county, the town is side swiped.
i firmly believe that the conservation policy needs to be relaxed a little to allow some forward thinking, develope new ideas, and create something that will attract tourists back into the town.