STRIDE THE LINE! Raising money for our Broom Lane Bridge Appeal

STRIDE THE LINE!
Join us for a sponsored walk on Sunday 2^nd, February, to raise money to replace Broom Lane Bridge!

Have you ever wanted to visit parts of the Spa Valley Railway that are never open to the public? On Sunday, February 2nd, you can ‘STRIDE THE LINE’ from Tunbridge Wells West to Groombridge via Birchden Junction—a lovely five-mile stroll through the beautiful High Weald countryside!

We will meet from 08:30 at Tunbridge Wells West station and set off at 09:30, heading for Birchden Junction. Turning around at the Junction, we’ll return to Groombridge. Once everyone has completed the walk, a special train will return walkers to the starting point.

Tea, coffee, and snacks will be available at each end of the line. Upon our return, participants will be guided through Tunbridge Wells West.

Please support our event and set up your JustGiving page now. It is quick and easy; every penny raised will help us replace this bridge. Come with us and ‘Stride the Line’ on Sunday, February 2nd!

JOIN OUR EVENT: https://spvr.link/stridetheline

SAFETY INFORMATION

Full itinerary:

• 08:30 to 09:15 – Meet at Tunbridge Wells West station to register and sign in. Last registrations are at 09:15. Tea and coffee will be available, plus you can view the Engine Shed.
• 09:30 to 12:30 – Depart Tunbridge Wells West station for Birchden Junction, returning to Groombridge station, a 5-mile walk on rough railway ground but not fierce gradients.
• 12:30 to 13:00 – Special train (free of charge) to return walkers from Groombridge station to Tunbridge Wells West station. This train will depart earlier if everyone has completed the walk. It will depart Tunbridge Wells West once all walkers are accounted for at Groombridge. 
• 13:00 to 14:00 – Guided tour of Tunbridge Wells West for all participants. 

BROOM LANE BRIDGE

WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH A MAJOR PROJECT!
We must replace the old steel Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge, and we need your help raising £300,000 to do so!

Broom Lane Bridge, built in the 1890s, has corrosion on the primary girder flanges, particularly on the web flange angles, which is not unexpected due to its age, but it presents a problem.

To ensure we can continue taking you along the Spa Valley Railway, the bridge is regularly inspected, a speed restriction has been imposed, it is subject to an enhanced monitoring regime, and it has recently undergone load testing to demonstrate its continued availability for rail traffic.

However, we must do something before the corrosion reaches a point where we cannot operate trains.

We were presented with two options: repair the corroding metal work on the bridge or replace it with a brand-new one. After considering the possibilities, it became clear that replacing the bridge was the most cost-effective solution, at around £300,000.

While repairing the affected areas is possible, it would only temporarily extend the bridge’s life and potentially cost the same, if not more, than constructing a new one.

• Phase 1, a certified replacement bridge design, will cost around £30,000; thanks to our savings, we have engaged a company specialising in bridge design, construction, and installation to start work immediately. We aim to have this completed in the first quarter of 2025.
• Phase 2 involves constructing and painting a new bridge, estimated to cost around £70,000, we aim to start this as soon as the design is certified.
• Finally, phase 3 involves removing the old bridge and installing the new one, estimated to cost upwards of £200,000.

We won’t be able to do it without your support, and we are appealing to anyone who could help ensure we can complete this enormous project and replace the bridge in 2025.

We know a bridge isn’t glamorous, but without it, we might be unable to run trains over the entire length of our railway. We would be extremely grateful to anyone who can donate to our appeal or participate in our fundraising activities, of which more will be announced tomorrow.

Please donate now to our Broom Lane Bridge appeal and keep the Spa Valley Railways’ trains running for you and future generations to enjoy!

https://spvr.link/broomlane