New bridge on track for success as bosses praise its installation

Network Rail chiefs hail structure

- KATRINE BUSSEY

Network Rail bosses hailed the Boxing Day installation of a new bridge as a "fantastic success" after the £5.9 million structure was slotted into place.

The bridge, part of the development of a site in Bowling, was installed after train services in the area were paused on Christmas Eve.

Network Rail started work over the summer to clear more than 80,000 tonnes of material to create space for the structure.

Once the site was cleared, engineers cast the bridge on location using 1860 tonnes of concrete - the same weight as about 34 million mince pies.

During an intense nine-day period of work, the bridge was then carefully driven into its final position on December 26.