40 Steps - Bridge Replacement 2013/2014

On Wednesday, 16th July 2014 marked the opening of the new footbridge to replace the famous '40 Steps'.| The opening took place with no ceremony. However, access to the new bridge is by steps only at present as work on the construction of the ramps on both sides of the railway has fallen behind schedule. This important crossing for pedestrians and cyclists has been missing for 261 days as 40 Steps was closed on 28th October 2013. Unlike 40 Steps, the new bridge itself is an enclosed structure but there are some new railway photographic opportunities to explore. It also provides a vantage point to observe the construction of the new road running along the former Fairwater Yard head shunt.

21st December 2014 With the new 40 Steps Footbridge now open, it's taken a matter of days before the blank green canvas has started to be 'tagged' by unsightly and unwelcome graffiti. We all warned the design would lend itself to this type of antisocial behavior, we expect in years to come to the bridge with look unkept and uninviting to those having to use it. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

21st December 2014 A general view looking down the upper ramp on the Cyril Street side of 40 Steps on the 21st December 2014. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

21st December 2014 A view from the Cyril Street side of 40 Steps on the mid landing ramp looking south towards Fairwater Yard on the 21st December 2014. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

21st December 2014 A view from the Cyril Street side of 40 Steps on the mid landing ramp looking south towards Fairwater Yard on the 21st December 2014. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

8th November 2014 A general view of the newly opened 40 Steps footbridge on the 8th November 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 The view from the 'up' side of 40 Steps nearest Cyril Street with the ramp now extending parallel with the railway towards Staplegrove Road, taken on the 16th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 The enclosed walkway and caged sides of the new 40 Steps footbridge taken on the 16th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 The rather restricted view from the new 40 Steps Bridge looking south, construction work on the Taunton NIDR is also visible in the foreground on the 16th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 The view looking through the new enclosed walkway at 40 Steps on the 16th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 On Wednesday, 16th July 2014 the opening of the new bridge to replace the famous '40 Steps' took place with no ceremony. However, access to the new bridge is by steps only at present as work on the construction of the ramps on both sides of the railway has fallen behind schedule. This important crossing for pedestrians and cyclists has been missing for 261 days as 40 Steps was closed on 28th October 2013. Unlike 40 Steps, the new bridge itself is an enclosed structure but there are some new railway photographic opportunities to explore. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

16th July 2014 A view of the new stepped access point on the Cyril Street side of the former 40 Steps bridge, taken on the 16th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

4th July 2014 Tauntons new 40 Steps bridge is now nearing completion and will soon allow people to return to their former walking and cycling routes through town. The ramped sections to the Chip Lane side of the bridge were being delivered on the 4th July 2014 for fitting onto new foundations. It's hoped the bridge will be open soon, although the council have given no indication of when the opening might occur. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

4th July 2014 New foundations of the ramped sections of the 40 Steps footbridge can be seen as the next staircase flight is bring prepared to be lifted from the delivery lorry on the 4th July 2014. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

8th June 2014 Overnight on the 4th July 2014 contractors lifted the main bridge span section into place of the Bristol - Exeter mainline to the south of Taunton Station. Two cranes were involved in the overnight lift to locate the main bridge span into position. This image was taken in the early hours of the morning as the lift began. (Photo: Paul Carter)

8th June 2014 Overnight on the 4th July 2014 contractors lifted the main bridge span section into place of the Bristol - Exeter mainline to the south of Taunton Station. Two cranes were involved in the overnight lift to locate the main bridge span into position. This image was taken in the early hours of the morning as the lift began. (Photo: Paul Carter)

31st May 2014 Volvo FH GJ13KHW moves an oversized bridge section load into the compound at Chip Lane on the 31st May 2005. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

31st May 2014 Aincough Leibherr 500T Crane is pictured having arrived at Chip Lane on the 31st May 2014 ready to lift bridge sections into position overnight while the railway was closed. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

31st May 2014 Ainscough Lifting manoeuvre trucks with crane weights into position at Chip Lane on the 31st May 2014. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

31st May 2014 Taunton's replacement for the former 40 Steps Footbridge finally took a step closer to reality on Saturday 31st May 2014. The first sections of the main bridge span arrived on site at Chip Lane during Saturday along with a multitude of lifting equipment from Ainscough Lifting. The bridge was transported to Taunton on three separate oversized loads, which were then held at Taunton Deane Services before picking up their allotted escort vehicles into Taunton via the A38. Nusteel (who have manufactured the bridge) have two overnight work windows in order to join the bridge sections together (this weekend) and then lift into position (next weekend). During each weekend Ainscough will be providing the lifting power via their 200 Tonne and 500 Tonne cranes, these will travel to Taunton each weekend for the required lifts. Unfortunately we are able to confirm that the main span of the bridge is completely enclosed and meshed in, with no opportunity for a photographic viewpoint. This also raises questions about personal safety of persons using the bridge, as their is also no obvious way persons can be seen while walking through the bridge from the outside. The side panels also provide a perfect blank canvas for graffiti to be applied. We can only hope that some form of photographic vantage point will be possible from the ramped walkways of the bridge. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

31st May 2014 A bridge section for the new 40 Steps footbridge is pictured being delivered to the 40 Steps building site on the 31st May 2005. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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