Bell unveiled for bridge birthday
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RUNCORN Railway Bridge’s restored Navigation Fog Bell has been unveiled at The Brindley after it was removed from its historic perch as part of major refurbishment works.
Halton’s mayor and mayoress John and Marjorie Bradshaw had the honour of removing the drape in front of a crowd last Wednesday as the Weekly News was going to print.
The date marked the 150th anniversary of the bridge, which is also known as the Ethelfleda Viaduct in honour of Runcorn’s Saxon princess and queen.
Other special guests were pupils from All Saints Primary School, who designed a 150th birthday cake for the unveiling and have been involved in a project on the bridge.
Network Rail used a helicopter to remove the bell in May this year before repairing it as part of a major £6m renovation of the bridge.
It was donated to Halton Council and is now on permanent display at The Brindley.
During its working life the bell would sound when there was fog to alert approaching vessels on the Manchester Ship Canal.
Speakers at the event included Paul Wright, Halton Borough Council open spaces divisional manager, who placed the bell and railway bridge in the context of Halton’s great engineering achievements including the Bridgewater and Sankey canals as well as the more recent Silver Jubilee and Mersey Gateway bridges.
Helena Williams, Network Rail’s project manager, said the £6m bridge renovation had been ‘incredibly complicated’ as work took place while the crossing remained open.
She told those attending that a helicopter was deployed to lift the bell away as it was in place 100ft above water. ● Pupils from All Saints Primary who designed a 150th birthday cake for the bridge
Runcorn Railway Bridge spans the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes and was opened by the London & North Western Railway on October 10, 1868.
The Grade II listed structure is known to residents as the Aethelfleda or Ethelfleda Bridge, from the Queen of the Mercians.
Remains of a fort dating from her era were uncovered during the construction of the railway bridge.
The crossing also bears an image of Britannia, and is sometimes called the Britannia Bridge.
When it opened, many boats and ships still used the River Mersey and navigational aids, namely lighting and the bell, were installed to stop collisions.
In 1894, the Manchester Ship Canal opened, resulting in a decline in traffic on the River Mersey.
The fog bell had fallen out of use by the middle of the 20th century.
A key part of Network Rail’s Great North Rail Project, the bridge refurbishment scheme began in October 2017.
Engineers strengthened, waterproofed and refurbished the bridge’s timber, cast-iron and brick structures, to ensure the busy rail route can continue to support freight and passenger services.
Cllr Rob Polhill, Halton Council leader, said: “We are delighted have the Navigation Fog Bell at The Brindley.
“It is an item of historical significance and we are grateful to Network Rail for restoring it to its former glory so it can be enjoyed by future generations.”
Helena Williams said: “We’re thrilled to have donated a piece of history from the Runcorn viaduct.
“We’ve been working in the area for just over a year as part of our £6m project to repair and restore Runcorn viaduct.”