The Bridge of Doom

[lathany]

My rail line has been broken this week due to "a bridge". So I've been working from home where possible and going in via replacement buses, etc. when I need to be in. I've finally found a picture of the bridge.



Apparently they're working on the temporary solution of diverting the rail line elsewhere so they can run a limited service. I can't help thinking I'm in for a long winter of trouble based on this picture.

Comments

[dr-bob.livejournal.com]

Blimey. I'd not want to be in a train over that! I thought of you when I heard the travel news lately.

I don't suppose the train to Weybridge (Staines; VIrginia Water Addlestone iirc) and then in on our line would be an easier one to take than the bus? I've no idea where any of those stations are, or whether you could get there (bike?)

[floralaetifica.livejournal.com]

Holy moly, that's not a happy bridge! And I think you're right, I think it's going to suck to be a passenger on that line for some time to come. Poor you.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Next week there's putting in their "reduced, diverted" service, but it'll be the other side of Christmas before said bridge is fixed (four to six weeks they said).

I'm gritting my teeth and being grateful that I've got Christmas leave booked!

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

four to six weeks they said

<looks at bridge>

That's "weeks" spelled m-o-n-t-h-s, right?

[metame.livejournal.com]

And "they said" because someone was glaring at them and shaking a head forcefully throughout:

"Hard to say... need to investigate... I suppose perhaps 3 months... I mean 2 months... err 6 weeks?"

That same person will now report it as "it can't possibly take more than a month or so".

[lathany.livejournal.com]

The time period is given in a couple of local newspapers (http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2009/11/17/no-feltham-to-london-trains-until-christmas-109642-25187632/).

It's not an upper limit. I have no idea how long building a bridge can take.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

I know someone who does that journey starting at Staines and it's not an improvement over the replacement bus/train service. The alternative I have tried is the bus/tube route using Hounslow - it's OK, but about the same as the current replacement route. If ever I fancied paying more for the privilege, I could take the bus from Hatton Cross (it's a local bus so doesn't accept travel cards) and would probably shave ten or fifteen minutes off - but so far I've just upper my working from home enormously.

[jiggery-pokery.livejournal.com]

You probably know, but the route has reopened (http://londonreconnections.blogspot.com/2009/11/in-pictures-feltham-bridge-collapse.html)... sort of.