Laira Railway Bridge, Plymouth
N 50° 22.123 W 004° 06.444
30U E 421245 N 5580213
A disused railway bridge across the River Plym at Laira Bridge on the outskirts of Plymouth.
Waymark Code: WM3GX8
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/05/2008
Views: 7
This orphan bridge is all that is left of the branch lines to Yealmpton and nearby Turnchapel. The bridge was completed in 1887.The LSWR completed their branch to Turnchapel and this was opened for traffic on Friday January 1st 1897, with trains running from their main-line terminus at Plymouth Friary. The branch to Yealmpton was opened on Monday January 15th 1898. With the advent of local bus services the branch to Yealmpton closed with a short re-opening during the Second World War. The line to Turnchapel lasted a bit longer, closing in 1951. The bridge was still used to connect to the nearby cement works. Sadly this operation brought the bridges useful life to an end in the 1980's. It is now cut of at each end. The road bridge at the east end of the bridge was demolished to allow large vehicles into the nearby rubbish dump. The approach at the west end is now part of a cycle track, sadly the bridge is fenced off for safety. The bridge now sits there slowly rusting away.
Original Use: Railroad
Date Built: Completed in 1885
Construction: Iron
Condition: Poor
Bridge Status - Orphaned or Adopted.: Adopted
See this website for more information: Not listed
Date Abandoned: Not listed
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