merlodlliw
Established Member
from http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm
Pont Briwet (Briwet Bridge), across the Afon Dwyryd, on the Cambrian Coast line between Penrhyndeudraeth and Llandecwyn stations, is an original Cambrian Railways wooden structure, with a carriageway for light vehicles, drivers of which must pay privately-collected toll (40p for cars) to cross, alongside the railway, and avoid a eight-mile detour via Maentwrog for travellers between the Harlech and Porthmadog areas.
The local press is reporting that a replacement bridge, suitable for heavier traffic, is to be constructed. Work on the new crossing will, we are told, start in autumn 2011 [or 2012 in other reports]. The joint project between Network Rail, Gwynedd Council, Snowdonia National Park and Countryside Council for Wales will, it is said, take two years to complete.
In one press article, it Gwynedd Councils transport engineer Dafydd Wyn Williams was reported as saying: 'During the building, the road will have to be closed to vehicles for 12-18 months and the rail service replaced with a bus service from Harlech for around a week. The old bridge will be kept as a footpath.' However. some confusion seems to have arisen, as the same Mr Williams is quoted the following day as saying 'To set the record straight, provisions for pedestrians will be included in the new bridge. It is proposed that the new bridge will follow the line of the old bridge and listed building consent will now be sought to demolish the existing structure.'
So it seems that the granting of permission to demolish the bridge, listed Grade II as a structure of historic importance, is being taken for granted., even though it has apparently yet to be designed. Presumably Gwynedd Council will apply to Gwynedd Council to grant permission to demolish it. Also strange is the statement that the road will be closed for 12-18 months but the railway for only 'around a week.' The new bridge will no doubt be welcomed by many, although from the point of view of the railway it is likely to lead to diversion of some passenger traffic away from the trains when buses can make the shorter crossing. At least (let us hope) Barmouth Bridge is too long to replace.
Pont Briwet (Briwet Bridge), across the Afon Dwyryd, on the Cambrian Coast line between Penrhyndeudraeth and Llandecwyn stations, is an original Cambrian Railways wooden structure, with a carriageway for light vehicles, drivers of which must pay privately-collected toll (40p for cars) to cross, alongside the railway, and avoid a eight-mile detour via Maentwrog for travellers between the Harlech and Porthmadog areas.
The local press is reporting that a replacement bridge, suitable for heavier traffic, is to be constructed. Work on the new crossing will, we are told, start in autumn 2011 [or 2012 in other reports]. The joint project between Network Rail, Gwynedd Council, Snowdonia National Park and Countryside Council for Wales will, it is said, take two years to complete.
In one press article, it Gwynedd Councils transport engineer Dafydd Wyn Williams was reported as saying: 'During the building, the road will have to be closed to vehicles for 12-18 months and the rail service replaced with a bus service from Harlech for around a week. The old bridge will be kept as a footpath.' However. some confusion seems to have arisen, as the same Mr Williams is quoted the following day as saying 'To set the record straight, provisions for pedestrians will be included in the new bridge. It is proposed that the new bridge will follow the line of the old bridge and listed building consent will now be sought to demolish the existing structure.'
So it seems that the granting of permission to demolish the bridge, listed Grade II as a structure of historic importance, is being taken for granted., even though it has apparently yet to be designed. Presumably Gwynedd Council will apply to Gwynedd Council to grant permission to demolish it. Also strange is the statement that the road will be closed for 12-18 months but the railway for only 'around a week.' The new bridge will no doubt be welcomed by many, although from the point of view of the railway it is likely to lead to diversion of some passenger traffic away from the trains when buses can make the shorter crossing. At least (let us hope) Barmouth Bridge is too long to replace.
