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date 22 October 1997 source Railtrack plc type Press release
Railtrack is to spend £1 million on a maintenance programme for the Royal Albert Bridge which provides the vital rail link between Devon and Cornwall.
The bridge is over 100 years old and although structurally sound requires regular maintenance work to keep it in running order. The old bridge deck, made of timber, will be removed in 10 to 15 metre sections at night over the next 25 weekends. The track will be taken up and relayed and the ballast that supports the track will be replaced.
The work started in earnest this week and will be completed next Spring ready for the beginning of the holiday season. Most of the painting work will be carried out during the week nights.
Senior project manager David Putley said that contractor Amey Railways had been awarded the £1 million contract. He added "In a bid to get the work finished as quickly as possible there will be teams of engineers operating simultaneously from the central span of the bridge back towards the Cornwall and Devon ends.
"The teams will work against the clock to remove track and ballast and relay 10 metres of decking every shift and then restore the line in time for Sunday morning trains, " he said.
