ONE of Pendle’s key railway bridges was demolished at the weekend. But it will be replaced soon.
The long Walton Lane bridge in Nelson, which passes over the line between Nelson and Colne, was taken down on Sunday, making it possible for the replacement modern bridge to be installed.
It will make the road safer and will mean it is not necessary to introduce a weight restriction.
A temporary footbridge has been set up across the railway line so people can get up Walton Lane, including students attending Pendle Vale College.
The railway line is now single track, but in the past was a double line, and there was also a goods sidings area, so the bridge needed to be much longer to accommodate all the lines.
On Sunday, work to remove the upper cross link began at 3 a.m. and took all day. But by teatime, the whole of the top surface had been removed.
Work is expected to carry on into the new year and the road will remain closed, but the pedestrian access will be maintained thanks to the temporary footbridge which is. There is also a temporary “bridge” right next to the old one which carries the electricity and phone lines safely across the railway.
Network Rail is investing £1.3m. in the project to meet current rail bridge regulations. The work is expected to be completed by the end of January.
{http://on.fb.me/rdIU7L|» FOLLOW PENDLE TODAY ON FACEBOOK|FOLLOW PENDLE TODAY ON FACEBOOK}