An undercover operation to revamp an iconic Victorian footbridge in the Scottish Borders has been successfully completed by the Historical Railways Estate (HRE).
Boleside footbridge, a much-loved part of a local walking route from Galashiels down to the River Tweed, had to be completely wrapped in a protective coat so that toxic lead paint could be safely removed as part of the detailed 35-week renovation programme.
Boleside covered in protective coat while blasting takes place.
Here you can see how the bridge looked during and after completion of the work.
Other work included replacing corroded floorplates, supporting sections and repairing the cast iron end posts at each corner of the bridge deck before the footbridge reopened this month.
Head of the HRE, Helene Rossiter said:
“Due to its deteriorating condition and safety concerns, this beautiful footbridge had been closed to pedestrians. “Following adoption of the bridge as an HRE asset it was added to the 574 structures we look after in Scotland, then working with the council and our contractor Balfour Beatty we developed a detailed plan to repair the Grade C listed structure to its former glory.”
Before work started a gas line which ran over the footbridge had to be diverted.
Many parts of the footbridge were severely corroded, and the old lead paint had to be removed before repairs were carried out. Lead paint, which is now banned, is highly toxic so the bridge went undercover to protect passers-by and the surrounding environment while the paint was blasted off by a team of skilled workers.
Boleside footbridge goes undercover so lead paint can be removed safely.
Other repairs included:
Replacing heavily corroded steel floor plates with a safer, anti-slip steel tread.
Replacing the corroded sections of the bridge with a low-carbon steel for long-term strength.
Re-painting the bridge with a modern paint, carefully colour matched to the original.
Repairing the south abutment and increasing the surface level of the footpath either side of the footbridge’s deck.
Helene Rossiter added:
“The footbridge was sorely missed by the local community and we’re proud we’ve been able to open up this walking route again as well as preserving an important part of the local history for the future.”
Footbridge after membrane removed.
The footbridge is a rare survivor from the heyday of the Edinburgh and Hawick Railway, which opened in 1849 and formed the first part of the line from Edinburgh to Carlisle. The Selkirk and Galashiels branch line, opened to Selkirk in 1856.
This ornate, steel structure was most likely installed to improve access from the Abbotsview Convalescent House. The Selkirk line was closed to passenger transport in 1951 though the footbridge has remained in use and gained in popularity with the increase in housing east of Abbotsford Road.