Examination of Witnesses (Questions 16740
- 16759)
16740. The bridge is sound.
(Mr Berryman) The other
point to make is, as I said earlier on, there is a fifth track
to be provided so there would clearly be new foundations required
on one side in any event.
16741. Chairman: I have one or two questions.
How important historically is this bridge?
(Mr Berryman) It was attributed
to I K Brunel, along with nine other bridges which were affected.
We have had a long dialogue with English Heritage about this.
We have arranged to preserve four of the nine bridges by lowering
the track, which we can do in those cases. Basically English Heritage
would like us to preserve all nine but they recognise the reality
of the situation.
16742. The one thing that stands out is that
we have never had a photograph of the bridge.
(Mr Berryman) We have not
actually got one otherwise we would show you one. It is very difficult
to see. It is in a cutting and you can get oblique views of it
but the only person who can get a square-on view of it is the
engine driver of the train.
16743. Chairman: It does seem extraordinary
if it is a Brunel bridge, that English Heritage are allowing it
to be demolished.
16744. Mr Hollobone: Do we know why the
bridge was built?
(Mr Berryman) It was probably
built as an accommodation bridge for a farm. There are others
who know more than I but that is usually why they were built.
16745. Chairman: If it is dismantled
it will be destroyed, it will not be go anywhere else?
(Mr Berryman) I think it
is worth mentioning that these are what English Heritage would
describe as "vernacular" bridges of the time. There
are over 100 of these bridges attributed to Brunel on the Great
Western alone and there are many others in other parts of the
country. I have spent happy years working in a bridge design office
and it is the kind of bridge you would put out to a relatively
junior member of staff to design. It is not like a main bridge
viaduct that he would have actually done himself.
16746. There is a footway next to it. What is
going to be done in relation to this extra siding?
(Mr Berryman) If the extra
siding goes in, the footway is a little way back from the edge
of the embankment so that will not be disturbed.
16747. It will not be problematic. Do you think
anything extra could be done to service the needs of people who
use the footpath?
(Mr Berryman) We think the
number of people who use the footpath is vanishingly small. If
it was a footpath which was getting used, even if it was getting
20 or 30 people in a weekend, there would be no question of our
replacing it.
16748. If you look at the old photograph, which
is overgrown, there is still clear evidence that people have been
using it as a footpath because of the lack growth?[46]
(Mr Berryman) I am not sure that
there is actually because they would have to be very small people
because the trees go like that.
16749. If you look, there is still a noticeable
difference, albeit in the centre and it could trudged in mud,
but there is a difference.
(Mr Berryman) There is.
I wondered what caused that. We tried to push our way through
and it is quite difficult to get through. I just do not know if
it was animals or what. I have no idea.
16750. Mr Hollobone: How many replacement
footbridges is Crossrail building along its route?
(Mr Berryman) I would have
to seek guidance. A very small number.
16751. Ms Lieven : We think the answer
to that, sir, is two but I would not wish that to be taken as
complete gospel. Those are the instructions I am getting at the
moment.
(Mr Berryman) It is certainly
a very small amount. I have to say in most cases footways are
associated with roads and we are rebuilding a number of roads
so a number of footpaths on those will obviously be taken into
account.
16752. Chairman: Thank you very much.
Mr Suggett?
Cross-examined by Mr Suggett
16753. Mr Suggett: Just a couple of questions
please. I think you said you had made just the one visit to this
site?
(Mr Berryman) Myself, yes.
16754. And that was in June?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, that
is right.
16755. So you have never seen the path in February
or November or any other time like that?
(Mr Berryman) I have not
personally but obviously we have looked at it over the time. We
have had quite a number of visits to the site by members of the
team and no-one has ever seen anyone walking along it. I do not
have photographs with me of November or February.
16756. Do you recognise that June is the month
of the year when paths of this sort are just about as overgrown
as they ever get?
(Mr Berryman) Well, I would
imagine that there is more growth in June, yes.
16757. I think it is fair to say that it is
the experience of Ramblers Association volunteers that June is
about the worst of months as they go for path clearance and so
on. Would you accept that?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, this
is 4 June. It is just the beginning of June. I am not an expert
on the matter of clearing footpaths but it sounds plausible to
me. It sounds reasonable.
16758. Mr Suggett: I think that is really
all I would like to ask, thank you very much.
16759. Chairman: Thank you. Ms Lieven,
do you want to sum up?
46 Crossrail Ref: P117, Dog Kennel Bridge Links-Public
Footpath 15A, mid point walking north (LINEWD-9104-004). Back
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