Pictures, Snippets

Removal of Aldermaston Wharf lift bridge for refurbishment

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In early January 2024 the lift bridge of the A340 Basingstoke Road over the Kennet and Avon canal in Aldermaston Wharf had to be removed for some major refurbishment work. During the initial preparation for its removal there wasn’t much to see, although I did manage to get some decent shots of the bare bridge in the afternoon light one day. Then on Friday 12/Jan/24 I was lucky enough to catch a good part of the loading of the bridge on to a trailer during my lunch break walk:

Picture of a lifted up bridge during preparations for its removal
01 – Bare bridge from the side: View from the towpath while the bridge was being prepared for removal
Picture of a lifted up bridge during preparations for its removal
02 – Bare bridge from the road: The lifted up bridge seen from the A340 as it was being prepared for removal
Picture of a removed lift bridge on a towpath
03 – Bridge on the towpath: The bridge on the towpath being prepared to be lifted on to the trailer
Picture of a canal bridge hanging on a crane over a canal boat
04 – Bridge hoisted over a canal boat: I was surprised the allowed the canal boat to stay there, if anything had gone wrong the boat would have been crushed
Picture of a lift bridge hanging from a mobile crane
05 – Bridge over the canal (1): The massive mobile crane is starting to move the bridge over the canal
Picture of a lift bridge being hoisted over a canal
06 – Bridge over the canal (2): A worker catching a rope to control the bridge while it is hoisted over the canal
Picture of a bridge hanging from a crane while being lifted over a canal
07 – Bridge over the canal (3): The bridge still over the canal, but starting to arrive on the other side
Picture of a lift bridge hanging from a mobile crane over a road
08 – Bridge over the road: The bridge has arrived on the other side and is edging towards the trailer (hidden from view behind the cottage)
Picture of a lift bridge over a specially constructed trailer
09 – Bridge over the trailer (1): The bridge approaching the specially constructed trailer
Picture of a lift bridge being loaded on a special trailer
10 – Bridge over the trailer (2): A wider view of the bridge being loaded on to the trailer
Picture of a lift bridge being lowered on to a trailer to be taken away for refurbishment
11 – Lift bridge on the trailer: Almost there, the bridge being lowered on to the trailer for transport to the workshop

The bridge will now receive some long overdue maintenance and improvements over a few weeks before being reinstalled in mid March 2024. I’m hoping to be lucky again and be out for my lunch break walk at the right time, but obviously can’t promise anything.

For a few pictures and a video from the original removal check this report in Newbury Today.

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