23rd April 2026

 Thursday

As you may have heard the new Broom Lane Bridge suffered it's first Bridge Strike on Thursday, to say we are devastated is an understatement.

I keep asking myself, how can someone allow this to happen, but I can't fathom an answer.

Luckily someone reported it to us, which the driver did not.  I called the company named on the side of the van and spoke to the driver.  He refused to provide his insurance details to me, which isn't good for us.

I can let you know that the Railway will pursue this, as it's not fair that we as an innocent party in the matter, are financially worse off because someone doesn't comply with Road Traffic Regulations.

Some photos of the damage below, please don't speculate any further, there's more that we aren't able to share at the moment.

Best wishes

Mark D.

Reopen to Passenger Services

Saturday - 18th April 2026

We reopened to passenger services on Saturday, returning our trains to Eridge for the first time since 22nd February 2026.

I was able to travel on the first round trip, travelling on the footplate for the Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West journey, what a proud moment it was.  Our humble Railway has achieved it's biggest and most significant project to date.

It was fantastic to see supporters out on the train and lineside, with everyone pleased with what has been achieved.

Well done to everyone involved, it's an incredible achievement.  There are minor "finishing" items to complete, but we are operating trains again!

Photo credit: Nick Burgess

Photo credit: Nick Burgess

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Photo Credit: Toby Tankard

Open to rail traffic

Thursday

The new Broom Lane Bridge is open to rail traffic - we've done it...

Beaver Bridges and Sonic Rail Services have done the Spa Valley Railway proud, it's incredible to think back on 23rd February we embarked on this massive project.

Best wishes

Mark D.

Wednesday 15th April 2026

Wednesday

I'm not involved directly with the pway reinstatement but will try to keep posting until we reopen.

Yesterday thanks to our Friends at Sonic Rail Services a lot was achieved with Ballast laid on the bridge and the beginning of sleepers and rails.

We've very nearly got our Railway reconnected.

There's still a lot of clear up work to take place, which we elected to do, in order to reduce the costs from our Contractors.

The P-Way work is being led by our P-Way Manager - Chris Hobden to whom we are all very grateful.  He is working very closely with the Railway's Civil Engineering Manager - Alan Cudlipp.

It's been amazing to witness the Railway coming together to what at one time, felt like a huge hurdle we may not achieve.  It's been great how everyone has really pulled together - Thank you!

Best wishes

Mark D.

Saturday 11th April 2026

 Saturday

More work is taking place behind the scenes that on site to get the Railway open for this weekend.

I've also stopped mentioning the days as that referred to days on site.

On Saturday I visited to review how the site had been left as Beaver Bridges completed their demobilisation the day before.

The site is obviously a bit dusty even after having a road sweeper in twice!  

The first shows the vacated car park at the Scouts, with the second showing the driveway entrance to the private dwelling.  This area needs minor attention to tidy up the stones, with further work on the verge.  Beaver Bridges have a "white works" contractor engaged to visit and reinstate these areas.

The new vision of Broom Lane Bridge!

There's still works to complete including retaining measures on the exposed areas.  This was always the railway's work to complete and is planned in.  Temporary fencing is already in place!

I hadn't seen under the bridge before, it was blocked off when I visited Shrewsbury and once lifted into place the scaffolding obscured most of it.

Nice and clean!

The Railway's p-way contractor is scheduled to be on site this week.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved, it's been a huge project for our Railway and we've delivered, a little late but it was the best decision to delay.

Best wishes

Mark D.

Day 39 - 20th April 2026

 Friday

Beaver Bridges have finished their on site works!!!

You've done it!!!

The Project Team, Management Team and everyone at the Railway is so pleased that we have a new bridge at Broom Lane.

There are still works to complete though, it was always planned that we would provide the edge of wall protection and as always minor "snagging" to complete.

The most important point is, it's ready for the P-Way Team and Contractor to work their magic and reinstate the ballast, track etc.

I've tried to say all through this process how proud I am of everyone involved either directly or indirectly in being able to achieve this massive success, of our Broom Lane Bridge Renewal.  I believe the biggest project we've undertaken and with only a slight delay.

It's not just us, it's a Contractor - Beaver Bridges who have worked very closely with us to ensure the works complete.  I've learnt so much throughout this process, which is thanks to everyone's patience in explaining various aspects to me.

When I say Beaver Bridges, I mean everyone, from the hard working guys on site, away from home, to the management team, executive management team, and the finance team.  Everyone has been warm friendly and professional.  I even treated those on site yesterday to a jam doughnut, just a small token of my personal appreciation.

Enough of me waffling, photos below:

Best wishes

Mark D.

Day 37 - 8th April 2026

Wednesday

Yesterday and today has been tidying up the brickwork and yesterday in particular the sub contractors attended and installed the final part of the waterproofing.

The stone used for the cranepad has been removed, as has the temp track matting.  The soil has been returned but does require some work to make it suitable for new grass seed to be spread.

Just because it was the Easter weekend, that didn't mean nothing took place, discussions behind the scenes on demobilisation took place, especially on ensuring we are doing everything we can for our neighbours.  This is very important to us, and having been on the other side at Eridge in previous years I can understand.

I believe we've found a way forward and maintaining communication is key here.

On a personal note, I will be pleased to have some time off when the project is finished.

Best wishes

Mark D.

Delayed reopening - an explanation

 Delayed opening - why

The programme was already very tight, the bridge itself was a week late going to the painting sub contractors, it therefore missed it's slot, meaning it was further delayed by the time it left for Shrewsbury.

To gain back time Beaver Bridges worked overtime including weekends to complete the works in Shrewsbury.

The bridge was delivered to Broom Lane later than originally planned but still in time to meet our reopening target (in theory).

The Cill Beams and Bridge Deck - the big heavy items and dependant on crane etc, took place near enough as expected.

Drainage

The drainage behind the Bridge abutment walls/behind the Cill Beams, needed designing/approving, which took place after the bridge lift.

We faced a decision here:

Do we backfill and try to meet the reopening time and dig up to install drainage at another time

or

Do we install the drainage, backfill with correct grade stone and potentially miss the opening target.

I believe we made the right decision to only do this work once, which meant waiting, installing drainage and backfilling, ensuring it was compacted as specified.

The reason this is so important is, it's right on the transition from embankment to bridge deck and if it is incorrect, it would cause the pway all sort of issues.  It's better to do it now, whilst we have plant and the excavation.

I didn't make the decision alone, it taken in conjunction with the Project Team, wider Railway management and our Contractor.

Non drainage

Since the bridge deck installation, the remedial works have taken a little longer than previously thought, we could've rushed the brickwork, but it would look awful.

Whilst the backfilling was taking place we couldn't arrange for the pway contractor to mobilise as we just couldn't be certain when we could give them access.

It's a juggling act to plan all of this in.

I do believe that taking more care now, will be better longer term for the Railway.

We have also encountered some technical queries relating to the final waterproofing, which have taken a few days of constant phone calls/emails/meetings to resolve.  This had added some delay.  

Conclusion

I hope that adds more context to why we haven't reopened yet?

Best wishes

Mark D.

Day 35 - 2nd April 2026

 Thursday

It's the Thursday before Easter, and we had hoped to be operating Good Friday, however the back of wall drainage needed to be completed along with the backfilling.

I was on site and demobilisation was well underway with plant and machinery being collected, whilst brickwork and walkway completion was taking place up at the Bridge.

There was an issue with the waterproofing, which required a Teams call with the Beavers Site Team, Contracts Manager, our Principal Designer, Civil Engineering Manager, and P-Way Manager.  I hosted the team, having heard a proposal from the PD earlier in the day.  The meeting was productive and our Civil Engineering Manager was satisfied and authorised the change, which will help us complete the works without additional delays.

Remember the photo from the other day's entry?  This has now been backfilled

The grey is primer before touch up paint is applied

Backfilled area upto the transition plate onto the bridge structure

Looking UP towards Tunbridge Wells West

Lorry collecting the track matting

Back filling and looking towards Groombridge

Pea shingle to create a French Drain as per NR Standard!

Demobilising from the field, Track Matting has been lifted, but has left indentations into the ground.

TWW Side, looking towards Groombridge

Another lorry collecting plant!

Best wishes

Mark D.