Work has been progressing well on the two current bridge projects on the GWR - the replacement bridge at Laverton and the repairs following a 'bash' at Gretton.

The gap over the unclassified road at Laverton is no more - once again it is bridged with a double-track-width span which will enable progress on the extension to continue towards Broadway.

Buildings Director Darren Fairley reports that the concrete deck beams are now in place and have been grouted while the brick pallisters are being rebuilt.  Next will be the latticework bridge parapets while the wing walls are being assessed for necessary remedial work.  This has been a significant project, the cost of which is being met by the National Grid, whose predecessor removed the original steel span (with the railway's permission) to allow their heavy equipment to gain access to a gas pumping installation nearby. 

Although the new bridge is concrete its final appearance will not be dissimilar to the original.  The road, which has been closed for more than a month, is expected to reopen on 11^th December.

Meanwhile, the village of Gretton sports a very smart bridge (bridge 26) following repair following a bridge bash by a lorry and refurbishment to arrest corrosion of the underside of the steel structure.  Darren says: "Once the protective sheeting and scaffolding were removed, the quality of the work was there for all to see.  It is of an exceptionally high standard and the bridge almost looks brand new."

He adds: "We are delighted with the standard of this work and the villagers at Gretton may be assured that it should remain - subject to there being no further serious collisions - for many years to come, without road closure. 

"I'm aware that the road closure did cause some inconvenience for which we are of course sorry.  But we were able to reopen the road three weeks early and the result is an elegant bridge enhanced by smart paintwork and which is an historic feature of Gretton."