The work to investigate the existing bridge over the sluice channel have been completed and the path is now open again for public use. The ramped platform is back in place, with new surfacing and without the concrete bollards that used to stick up through the surface.
The ground investigation work told us how the bridge is constructed, the photo immediately below (from the top of the photo downwards) shows:
- two steel beams side by side, with a view through to the water in the channel beyond
- a concrete cill or lintel below holding up the beams
- and below that (but not visible) are the brick walls of the sluice channel itself. These are original from the 1890’s when the channel was constructed and are still in very good condition – a testament to Victorian engineering!
The photos below show the ground investigation work, the drilling rig which explored down to 5m the sediments and material behind the bridge abutments, samples taken and the repaired platform:
