Headlines have to grab attention, but l am not talking here about Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge but a modest little structure that crosses the main railway line to London in Sydney Gardens.
The talented Victorian engineer took his Great Western Railway slap bang through a Georgian Pleasure Garden but landscaped it sensitively to create a piece of industrial theatre where people could watch his steam driven trains pass through.
Thoughtfully he also designed footbridges for pedestrians along the length of the line and the cast iron and listed crossing, in what is now a public park, is the last such example in existence.
It was good to see – in the weekly list of BANES planning applications, that Network Rail is now applying for permission to save this little pieces of precious railway history from further degradation. It is, after all, a Grade 11* listed piece of early Victoriana.
They want to erect scaffolding around the structure and carefully grit-blast and repaint the bridge, while also renewing the decking.
Only thing the application doesn’t say is what colour they are going to paint it!
This is good news indeed. But, talking of Network Rail, what news is there about the Clock on Bath Spa Station front?
It should all be part of yearly check for wear and maintenance , I find too much in Great Britain is allowed to get into a sorry state , before anyone will react, especially all these treasured historical items , it an attitude that needs to change, I remember a building in Filton where windows were swinging open in the wind and rain the building suffering badly in the elements , now some thirty years later it wrapped and a massive restoration took place ,its attitude in uk that needs to change to change ,if something is given listed status , then it must be prevented from having thousands of pounds worth of damage in the weather, 👍
I’m sure they’ll be careful to consult with some on the LOCAL to Bath preservation societies who will guide them in choice of paint ……hopefully these institutions might have it in their sights already and be going to make their thoughts and authority known clearly and strongly !