DEVELOPMENT – BRIDGE 19 (Step 1.2.4.6)

Bridge 19 (uploaded 14 November 2008)

Bridge 19 is the so-called ‘Varteg Road bridge’ and spans the B4246, one of the two main routes into Blaenavon from the south. It is thus a very busy road, and trains passing over it will be seen by a large number of people. There is probably no better spot than this for the railway to say: ‘Here we are!’

It is just south of Blaenavon (High Level) station, and it had been intended that it be included as part of the original Step 1.2 bid, but the increasing costs of repairing it has forced it onto the ‘back-burner’ earlier this year. Since then, attempts to get the work funded have appeared promising, only to fade away almost as soon as they appeared. The bridge is not essential for simple multiple-unit operation, but will become an increasing problem as locomotive hauled trains become the norm, and is of course is an absolute requirement if Phase 2 and Phase 3 – extension to Varteg and Talywain, are to be realised, and, of course Phase 6 – extension towards Pontypool. Verily is the strength of a chain the strength of its weakest link.

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Looking broadly east down the hill into Blaenavon. The bridge is of only 13ft 9in clearance. As a result of careless lorry drivers, it has seen a few wallops over the years, as can be seen on the third arch from the right where a plate has sprung. Sadly this seems to be happening with increasing in frequency. The mesh fence on the parapet is an addition introduced within the last five years to safeguard walkers and cyclists.

The abutments are of massive cut stones, are remarkably intact and the workmanship is worthy of close inspection. The bridge is, or rather was, quite complex. Originally it had four longitudinals, effectively supporting three decks, the third deck, nearest the camera, was removed some years ago, but, more oddly, it sloped up to the right as can be seen by the uneven height of the abutment. The line on this deck led on up a horrifyingly steep gradient to the so-called ‘Varteg Hill Colliery’

Here the Varteg Road (Varteg is a village a few miles to the south) climbs broadly west out of town. Had the third deckstill been in place, the bridge would have been even longer and would have echoed splendidly with the passing of road traffic storming up the hill. Again, the stonework is of masterly quality.

The entrance to Blaenavon High Level station (by the fence) is somewhat unprepossessing, and will need careful treatmen if it is to become a fitting entrance.. Nevertheless it forms not only the only access to the station, but the only access to the cycleway from this part of town. Unfortunately the main road to the station, on the other side of the bridge, is now in private hands, and it seems unlikely that the railway will be able to use it in the foreseeable future.

Viewed from above, the route southwards is all but impassable – as indeed was the route to the north until our volunteers set to work a year or two back. There is a further 400 yards or so of rail south of this point. The cycletrack is on the right, but is rather indistinct due to growth of gorse and other vegetation.

Viewed to the north the ‘works train, is stored in the platform, which is rapidly emerging from years of neglect, and which will be essentially complete by April 2009. In this view the cyclepath is easier to see, and effectively, makes use of the middle deck of the bridge. In days gone by, three lines of rails occupied the bridge

Update (uploaded 2 February 2009)

Capita Symonds were award a design contract in January to design a replacement bridge for the Varteg Road. Their earlier report suggested that the bridge was beyond economical repair, and a new deck would be required. It is planned that the new bridge will have some important features:

· The new deck will be made of steel and will retain as many of the visual heritage features as is possible

· The new bridge is required to have increased headroom

· The cycletrack will be carrried on a separate bridge, probably aligned close to the original Cemetery Branch line

· The designers have been asked to look at the feasibility of carrying two lines of rails across the bridge

A word of history is perhaps needed here – although the route both north and south from the bridge was single track, there was additionally, in effect, a passing loop over the bridge which formed a second line of rails. From the loop a third line of rails which crossed the original bridge on a separate part of the deck (see second photo above) climbed westwards at the south end, past the cemetery and then on a very steep gradient to pass over the Varteg Road on the so-called Ash Tree bridge before climbing on up to Varteg Hill colliery. All but the faintest traces of the cemetery branch have long gone.

Apart from the design work TCBC are seeking funding, possibly from HoV, to see the bridge renewed in the next one or two years. Such an event opens the possibility of further southward expansion to Varteg (Phase 2) and beyond. At present, though, it is not possible to advance more than about 400m before coming into conflict with the cycleway. Even this short extension would allow for useful berthing facilities for terminating trains, apart from providing an obvious visual presence by working regularly over the bridge.

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