ranworthbreeze Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 A public appeal has been launched to complete the work on Vaxhall Bridge. For the story please see the link to the report:- http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/campaign_to_complete_work_on_great_yarmouth_s_grade_ii_listed_vauxhall_bridge_1_3728418 I know what my thoughts are but what are yours? Please keep it clean! Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbird Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I know the subject tended to polarise opinion, but I actually like what they have done to the bridge so far (despite my earlier misgivings!). The new pedestrian deck makes it a much more pleasant walk from the station, and I like the way they have made some of the original rails visible in the path hinting at heritage of the bridge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hylander Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 We popped into Asda this morning and the bridge really has improved. I did wonder why it appeared to be half done. What we need is a Royal visit , it will be finished alright. So far what has been achieved is really smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Just a pity it was not all done in one go. Lack of funds sadly. Iain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbird Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I wonder if they can get Michael Portillo there? When he visited Reedham Swing bridge for an episode of his Great British Train Journeys programme, they painted that one pretty quick. Unfortunately they only did the inside of it, as that was all that was seen on the TV. The outside stayed as rusty as always Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I'm a sucker for most things to do with Engineering, especially railways. I was surprised to see it half done too, when I went over to Yarmouth a couple of weeks ago. Most of the animosity undoubtedly springs from it's restriction to Navigation air-draught, like poor old maligned Potter Bridge. Neither of them worry me, they've both been there a very long time, so I just regard them as "givens", and work round their limitations rather than griping about it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webntweb Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 When this one is completed any chance of the one a little further upstream being replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I wonder if they can get Michael Portillo there? When he visited Reedham Swing bridge for an episode of his Great British Train Journeys programme, they painted that one pretty quick. Unfortunately they only did the inside of it, as that was all that was seen on the TV. The outside stayed as rusty as always He has already been to Great Yarmouth, and very interesting it was too. The trains use to take dead bodies to London for research this area has quite a gruesome past. Doug. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Great Yarmouth to Beccles Not currently available on BBC iPlayer Series 3 Episode 1 of 25 DURATION: 30 MINUTES Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of five epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw's Britain remains. Following the route of the Great Eastern Line, which ventures from the edge of England to the centre of the country's financial capital, London, Michael discovers the grave robbing history of Great Yarmouth, tries his hand at working a Victorian swing bridge in Reedham, and takes to the air to discover how a Victorian rail guidebook helped aviators in the Second World War. Doug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I agree with Marks comments, I sort of like half of it now, it could well be sort of an asset (Just) if they get the rest of it done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBA Marine Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 see sense, cut it up, weigh it in an put something attractive, up to date and fit for purpose in its place. Yarmouth through and through, in decay or partly restored, looking like its decades in the past but not in a quaint vintage way. Until its dragged kicking and screaming into the modern world it will remain a blot and not the jewel it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 ......Yarmouth through and through, in decay or partly restored, looking like its decades in the past but not in a quaint vintage way...... Such an accurate description Mark. I think I must have explored over 50% of England's coastline, and I can't say I've seen anywhere to match it. Plenty of Harbours and Resorts have died and been regenerated, but GY seems perpetually stuck at the "dying" stage. A complete and utter dump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi Strowager,I can think of quite a few on the Essex seaside towns that are similar unless they have improved in the last few years.After saying that the walk from through the town to get to the beach at Yarmouth is one that I would not repeat.RegardsAlan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 No problem with the end result, although I would very sincerely argue that the money could have been better spent. Preserving a pile of scrap iron was, I think, a poor priority. Having done it my number one issue is to ask why on earth did they not raise the blessed thing a foot or two? Doing so would, as a proportion of the cost, surely have been a very small part of the whole. By the way, I too am a sucker for most things relating to railways but the attraction of this one escapes me. I have heard the river through Yarmouth described as Yarmouth's 'back passage', perhaps the wag that came up with that one was right. It really has been a long term wasted opportunity. For whatever reason Yarmite has traditionally ignored what it has. A riverside walk with a pub either end, a yacht-station/marina proper would be so much nicer than dumped supermarket trolleys and general air of abandonment and muddle that is Yarmouth's back passage. Perhaps best just passed through? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 He has already been to Great Yarmouth, and very interesting it was too. The trains use to take dead bodies to London for research this area has quite a gruesome past. Doug. For those that are interested, Great British Railway Journeys are being repeated this week on BBC 2 . Thursday and Friday are in Norfolk ending in Cromer. Doug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexandlorna Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 It is an ugly relic with nothing in its favour at all . Give me one shift with oxy-acetylene and thermic lance and that would be an improvement ! Or if it must not die , lift it of its abutments and dump it somewhere out the way of boats Some bridges are very smart and worth saving, but alas not this one . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRascal Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 What will happen is they will raise the money to paint the other part of the bridge - but this will take so long, once work is complete the previously painted part will now be peeling and a new campaign will be launched to re-paint that. Now where is that other red railway bridge that needs painting a lot... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 What will happen is they will raise the money to paint the other part of the bridge - but this will take so long, once work is complete the previously painted part will now be peeling and a new campaign will be launched to re-paint that. Now where is that other red railway bridge that needs painting a lot... Robin, the OTHER wan now has special paint treatment on it. Be years before it will require repainting. To me, still one of the wonders of the world, the Forth Railway Bridge. Iain. OOps Dave beat me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Iain,We stopped in the hotel (Innkeepers Lodge) that overlooks the Forth Railway Bridge when attending a wedding late last year.I was well impressed.RegardsAlan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdmate Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 suggest 40 kilos of semtex would do the trick... 10 on the rust bucket and the rest on the concrete road bridge beyond it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Alan, When my Bro In Law was PR at the Scottsh Office I tried several times to get on and up it to see the view. Sadly I have only ever been under it on the old Zeebrugge Superfast Ferry. Iain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Alan, Not a view you get to see today, thats when it was being given its major repaint etc. Iain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Now that's what I call a bridge! unlike the bit of tin in Yarmouth. Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxwellian Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Hi Iain I have fond memories of that bridge. I stood in the crowd and watched the queen go past in her car the day she opened the one next to it. Found this link http://streaming.britishpathe.com/hls-vod/flash/00000000/00092000/00092779.mp4.m3u8 Sorry for slight deviation from topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Now that's what I call a bridge! unlike the bit of tin in Yarmouth. Regards Alan Size isn't everything Alan, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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