THIS WEEK IN 1973: Traffic stopped as a rail bridge was swung into place

Traffic had to be diverted and London train services stopped short at Portsmouth and Southsea station while a new railway bridge was swung into position over Anglesea Road.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Nov 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 21st Nov 2016, 13:23 BST

The Anglsea Road rail bridge is put in place

Anglesea Road, St Michael’s Road and Park Road were closed to motorists, as a number of spectators gathered near the former Victoria Baths to watch the 450-ton structure swing gingerly into place.

A temporary bridge had served train services going to the Harbour station since the previous December, but at this weekend, passengers finished their journeys in especially-provided buses.

The bridge was built in sections at Scunthorpe and transported to Portsmouth, where it was assembled.

Made of girders with a concrete and composite steel deck, the bridge was lifted into place by two 10-ton winches.

The bridge, which stillstands today, carries two tracks to and from the Harbour.

Calls have been made to rebuild the pedestrian bridge which once stood alongside it after it was destroyed by a vehicle exceeding height limits about 12 years ago.