Work has commenced on removing the collapsed centre span of the Ashford Lane Timber footbridge over the Jubilee River in Dorney, Bucks. The image below records only the North span remaining – which is due to be removed soon.
The image below records the excessive use of a morticing machine to remove material in order to construct the joints. The three elongated grooves significantly reduce the strength of the beam. Any cavities remaining after assembly were filled with wedge-shaped offcuts of timber which created a path for water ingress and the opportunity to rot. The witness marks from the 10mm diameter stainless steel fasteners remain visible.
The rotten ends of two beams are shown below. The 10mm diameter stainless steel fasteners used to ‘peg’ the assembly can be seen protruding from the timber.
Black Potts and the Allotments timber footbridges are closed and ‘awaiting repair’ (actually demolition). Will these three footbridges be replaced?