Ell Brook Aqueduct...continued
The steel centring which worked so well on the upstream face was then re-erected below the downstream face, and the brick arch and associated stonework required to reinstate the collapsed arch barrel were quickly in place, enabling the temporary support to be removed by in June.

 

This was fortunate, as shortly afterwards torrential rain caused the stream to rise to well above the underside of the arch, flooding the surrounding area. The force of the water scoured a large hole in the bed of the stream adjacent to the aqueduct, but all the new masonry held firm and was unaffected.

 

One benefit of this was that more of the original collapsed stone was exposed and was able to be recovered for inclusion in the reconstruction. By summer 2008, the stonework in both spandrel walls had reached their finished levels, and were topped off with a combination of red engineering brick and blue, bull nosed brick copings.

 

For the foreseeable future, the Bailey Bridge will remain in position, as it provides a useful link between the Lock and Tunnel sites to the north, and the Trust’s new restoration project on the site of the former Newent railway station, which was constructed on the line of the canal.

 

New volunteers are always assured of a warm welcome from team leader Brian Fox and the Oxenhall Team - to contact Brian, please see our Contact Us page.