Bridge Balustrade: Phase 3 of 6

The third section of the bridge balustrade has just been completed bringing us to the halfway mark of the balustrade reconstruction. This section is actually last year’s contract so a fourth section should also be completed this year leaving only the two sections closest to the house to be done.

The work is being done in accordance with the Listed Structure regulations that require replacing ‘like with like’ and retaining the look and character of the original. The timber being used for replacement is ‘green’ oak, whose moisture content is preferable for external work, reducing any tendency to twist or warp. The joints are made with traditional mortice and tenon construction secured with oak dowels, as the old construction is. The section was more affected by rot than the previous one, necessitating the replacement of all the ‘beaked’ support blocks, which are sizeable hunks of oak. As in the previous sections, longer balusters with end rot are being cut down to serve as shorter ones. Several of the substantial posts and bottom beams and all the top beams have had to be replaced. The top handrail is completely new, as it is on the other sections.