Rail improvement work on viaduct and track completed in Cornwall
It involved a complex bridge replacement scheme
Work to renew parts of the River Fowey viaduct and repair some of the railway track at Lostwithiel station has been completed.
Train services resumed on Monday (29th March) following work over the past two weeks.
It involved repairs to parts of the track at Lostwithiel station and a renewal of the viaduct over the River Fowey. That included replacing eight bridge decks, brickwork repairs, grit blasting and repainting the old steel structure.
Network Rail engineers say they worked day and night to complete the work and to minimise disruption to residents living near to the railway, acoustic barriers were put in place to reduce noise pollution to surrounding areas.
Further follow up work will continue over the next eight weeks, but this will not affect train services.
“I’m really proud of what the team has achieved over the past two weeks. This was a very complex bridge replacement scheme which involved lifting in and lifting out hundreds of tons of steel.
“The engineering precision to design, manufacture and install the bridge, which is on a curve and gradient was exceptionally challenging, but as planned the new bridge has been installed successfully and trains are now travelling over it.”
Scott Pillinger, Network Rail programme manager