| Full steam ahead for bridge lights repair plan Full steam ahead for bridge lights repair plan plans which would finally solve the long-running lights problem on the Royal Border Bridge in Berwick have been given the go ahead by Northumberland County Council. It means the authority can now press ahead with the appointment of consultants to install an electrical supply and cabling from the top of the Grade I listed structure. A county council spokesperson said: "We are very pleased that the planning and environment committee was minded to approve the listed building consent as this is the next step along the way which will allow us to undertake this ambitious project to showcase the Royal Border Bridge. As a grade 1 listed building, this decision will have to be confirmed by central government planning officials. "We are continuing to work with Network Rail to secure permission to access the bridge to undertake the work and once a contractor is appointed as well as progressing with the work as soon as possible. "We are committed to this ambitious project that will give this iconic landmark new prominence for both local people and visitors to Berwick for many years to come." The £300,000 illuminations have not been working properly since cabling was damaged by flood water in the River Tweed more than a year ago. Glamorgan-based installation engineers Floodlighting and Electrical Services Ltd made several attempts to undertake repairs in the early part of last year but were hampered by high water. Fearing a repeat, the council decided to look for a permanent solution and has been in prolonged discussions with Network Rail to secure the relevant permissions over recent months. The listed building consent application is an amendment to the approval first granted in 2009 and proposes to alter the power and control cable route serving the lights via the top of the bridge. It is intended to locate the cable route and junction box along the top of the bridge where it is fully concealed from public look through behind the existing stone parapet. Vertical cable drops are proposed at each masonry pier across the river but this would be done on the west side so they will not be seen when viewed from the town centre or Royal Tweed Bridge. The council also says the new cable installation would be completely reversible, allowing its removal at any point in the future without causing permanent damage to the 161 year-old bridge. Discussions have been held with council conservation officer Annette Reeves who has clarified that application of any equipment to the bridge need to be into mortar joints. Glasgow-based consultants DO-Architecture, in a report to planners, stated: "The Royal Border Bridge is Grade I listed and therefore these proposed cabling route works will be sympathetic and entirely reversible. "The positioning, size and fixing of all new cabling has been sensibly considered to be sure it is subservient and complimentary to the historic structure and function of the railway viaduct." Although the bridge is still partially illuminated at night, seven arches over the river have been left in darkness since a deluge of meltwater and flood debris damaged electrical cables just before the official switch-on last December. It is hoped the repaired illuminations will turn the famous bridge into a spectacular night-time attraction and give the town's evening economy a shot in the arm. The scheme uses energy-efficient LED lights to illuminate the underside of the 28 arches, with the lights changing colour to follow trains crossing the structure at night |
Sunday 19 February 2012
Full steam ahead for bridge lights repair plan
