Lack of updates

 sorry for the lack of updates recently.
I am on a visit to Beaver Bridges Offices in Shrewsbury, but have some positive updates to share on my return.
I hope to have them ready by the weekend.
Best wishes
Mark D.

Day 11 - 07/03/2026

 Saturday!

This was the first saturday working of the on-site works, which we'd mutually agreed with the Scouts and Adamswell House.

The purpose of the works was to install the scaffolding, to enable access to the abutment walls.  This is to enable to Cill Beams to be installed.

A few rows of bricks will be removed in order to facilitate these works.

The scaffolders completed the work by early afternoon Saturday, so there was no need to work on Sunday!

Whilst the majority of the work was completed, some tidying up installing caps on some posts were required first thing Monday morning.

A few photos of the works, nothing too exciting.

Day 10 - 06/03/2026

A day of further demobilisation of the demolition sub contractor.

In the photos you can see the protective track matting laid, in order to best protect the surface underneath.

 

The following photos are some of the smaller components and walkway items!

Broom Lane hasn't looked like this before and hopefully won't again for a long time!

Day 9 - 05/03/2026

During our weekly progress meeting - Peter Brown (Our Principal Designer) had noticed some metal plate still on the abutment walls which should've been removed.  Some swift phone calls from the Beavers team on the call to the site team saw this remedied straight away.

An example of the good working relationship that we've built up - Thank you!

As the sub contractor demolishing the existing structure had finished a little ahead of time, it was a demobilising day for them.

They had laid a protective system on the road surface to prevent damage and this was being collected by a large lorry, from Wales.

The protective mats stacked up on Broom Lane awaiting collection

The west abutment (Groombridge Side)

The east abutment (Tunbridge Wells West side)

The crane pad!

Day 7 03/03/2026 - What bridge?

I wasn't on site myself, however excellent progress on the demolition took place along with the completion of the crane pad.

I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Best wishes

Mark D

Day Six - A Big Day!

Today's the day that the demolition team arrived on site!  We also had a new site agent for this phase of the works.

The crane pad was planned to be completed by Friday but has run into Monday and Tuesday this week, but that's not an issue as it can take place alongside the demolition works.  They'd made very good progress when I left site this afternoon.

The additional track matting to protect the entrance of Broom Lane arrived and was laid with consideration, which will now protect that area from potential damage.  The Teams on site were very helpful in making some last minute alterations to ensure it is as smooth as it can be.  Thank you!

Whilst this was taking place a large truck with a large digger was offloaded as part of the demo team.  The guys on site first laid a protective material over the road surface to protect it - Thank you!

I can't being to say how good it is, to see so many construction teams on site, working for our Railway to replace the bridge, it's just great!

This afternoon the cutters torch was taken to the old structure, again impressive to witness, although the smell and burning were a little unpleasant.

By the time I got home, the site team informed me that 90% of the previously operational span was demolished, I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Best wishes

Mark D.

Day four and five 26/27th February 2026

 Day Four and Five

On Thursday 26th February 2026 we had our usual Project Progress meeting with all those from Beaver Bridges and the Spa Valley Railway Project Team together.  We use these meetings to review progress, discuss issues and the entire project.

I conveyed my thanks to all those on site for mobilising and whilst there was one or two issues, they were swiftly resolved.

Work on the crane pad continues and some testing around the abutments have taken place.

There's been no big visual changes on site.

No exciting end to the working week, just colleagues who have worked hard on our bridge replacement.

Best wishes

Mark D.