Possibility of BCN Mainline closure

THE unexpected closure of the Birmingham Main Line yesterday, Friday, by the 'serious faults' of a bridge over the waterway brought the possibility of a long stoppage whilst it was repaired.

The council owned Rabone Bridge it was claimed had developed 'serious faults with the potential of collapsing', with both the navigation and the road halted, Keith Gudgin tells us.

No serious immediate threat

Later in the day it was examined by both Canal & River Trust and council engineers who discovered that as there was no serious immediate threat to navigation passage along the Main Line was restored after the inspection

However we are told that faults were found in the brickwork abutments of the 52' span bridge, that will necessitate remedial work in the near future, with the possible closure of the waterway.

Vicar's Hall Bridge

When Vicar's Hall Bridge on the Bridgewater Canal, with similar abutments, though of lighter construction, needed repairs, the waterway was scheduled to be closed for over four months right into the boating season, though such was the outcry, the closure was reduced to three months.