Disused railway bridge checked ahead of bike-path plan
A DISUSED railway bridge over the River Plym has been given the once over by specialist contractors in the hopes of turning it into a foot-bridge and cycle-path crossing.
The former Laira Railway Bridge saw around half a dozen contractors in safety gear use climbing equipment to assess the possibility of it linking existing walking and cycling paths, including Route 27 of the National Cycle Network and improve access to the Laira Heritage Trail.
The aim is to complete a continuous cycle route between Devonport and Stonehouse in the west to Plymstock and Plympton in the east, via the city centre and East End.
Contractors took core samples from the bridge – which first opened in 1887 to carry the London and South Western Railway branch to Turnchapel – and are carrying out an ecological impact study on the scheme.
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A spokesman for Plymouth City Council said it was hoped construction will begin late next year with the new bridge link expected to open in 2014/15. The plans to reopen the bridge to bikes and pedestrians is part of the council's 'Plymotion' initiative, which hopes to stimulate economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. The work aims to build on improvements recently made through the East End Transport Scheme and will complete an east to west walking and cycling link for the city.
Comments
by jboy66
Thursday, June 28 2012, 7:18PM
“nubnub writes 'why did they climb up it? and 'why didnt they simply walk onto it from other end'? well nubnub guess what? - they did walk onto it,then used the 'climbing' equipment as described by the herald to abseil down. Thats what the guy in photo is doing!!!!! Then on comes NICKERS talking to nubnub and writes. One word: Doomed from the start. but we all know thats four words!! , no wonder there on -21 and -14 as i write this. God help you both.”
by CornishPirate
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 4:21PM
“Look at the 3rd picture if you don't believe me!”
by tazzidevil123
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 1:30PM
“Back in the early 80's when we used to swing off it on ropes (and got our ropes confiscated daily-because it was a dangerous structure) it was suggested (from 6th form students at Plymstock School) that it be made into a pedestrian walkway and make another lane on the road bridge (by taking away the 2 paths) to ease traffic that was building up even then.
It takes 30 odd years for it to come about-come on council where did this proposal fall-behind the filing cabinet that has just been moved to be cleaned or has somebody finally cleared their desk????”
by Bruzercat
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 9:13AM
“@ madmax64 - nothing for pedestrians but £10 a time for cyclists :-) About time they paid for something...”
by CornishPirate
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:53AM
“2 guys inspect the bridge, 3 guys sit down and have a cup of tea. Money well spent.”
by timplymouth
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:34AM
“They weren't using the climbing equipment to get on the bridge, they were using it to inspect the structure closely.”
by unhappysteveo
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:33AM
“Good, i always thought this should be part of the cycle path network, now to run it all the way through plymstock and out on to the old railway line that goes past otter nurseries.”
by NICKERS
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:27AM
“by nubnubWednesday, June 20 2012, 7:58AM
"Why did they climb up it? Why didn't they simply walk onto it from either end? One word: Doomed from the start :("
I we're all doomed. Doomed I say!”
by nubnub
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 7:58AM
“Why did they climb up it? Why didn't they simply walk onto it from either end? One word: Doomed from the start :(”
by pogle63
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 7:56AM
“It is about time it was used for something been there rotting away for long enough - proably cost a fortune to rectify the years of neglect first. Still at least something is being done to make use of what is basically a wasted asset.”