Restored historic footbridge returns to Brading Station

An historic Victorian footbridge has been reinstalled at Brading Station, one of the eight stops on the Isle of Wight’s Ryde to Shanklin railway line.

Working on behalf of main contractor Dyer & Butler and the client Network Rail, Hampshire-based Four Tees Engineers (FTE) has completed the historically sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed structure.

The cast iron bridge, which spans two rail lines, was removed along with its two staircases.

Where possible, as many of the original elements, such as the stair stringers and columns, were saved and refurbished. When this was not possible, new steel sections, designed to mimic the original design, were fabricated.

Working on a turnkey basis, FTE surveyed the existing structure, designed and fabricated the replacement bridge and then installed it.

Sat on new foundations, the restored stairs and main span bridge structure were craned into place during a pre-planned railway line closure.

According to FTE, the replacement main span is a hybrid solution of modern structural and classic architectural design that demanded the highest standards of authentic detailing and fabrication.