Graffiti on the bridges crossing Brunel’s Great Western Railway as it cuts majestically through Sydney Gardens has frequently been mentioned by the Virtual Museum.
The fear is that safety work necessary because of the electrification of the line between London and Bristol may only encourage more vandalism from those who see barriers as a ‘challenge’ despite the obvious dangers.
One of the safety measures will probably mean destroying the sight-line of passing trains from a specially designed viewing area Brunel had designed. I hear there may be a raised amphitheatre installed instead.
My thanks to another Virtual Museum follower Robert Coles for his comments on the subject. He has sent a lot of photographs of his own which feature this stretch of line.
‘Attached are the pics I mentioned. I do have earlier and probably better ones which I hope to find and send as well.
Sydney Gardens is a disgrace and to think I photographed Brunel’s grand-daughter unveiling the plaque on the road bridge abutment to the great man.
What would he say about the desecration of his viewing promenade?’
Thank you for your comments and images Robert.
