Once or twice a year we need to order tractor diesel which is delivered by lorry. Farmer rang to order it and all appeared to be fine, we were waiting for it to arrive. Then we had a call from the local depot who asked us what the weight limit on our bridge was, because they couldn't deliver until they knew how heavy a lode it could carry. That one phone call kicked off the start of a very unexpected building project!
We had to commission an engineering firm to survey the bridge. This told us that the maximum weight permissible over the bridge was just less than 10T. Oh dear. Most of the lorries weight 14T empty!
We need access across the bridge constantly, and during the autumn and winter we have lorries delivering hay and feed for the sheep, and taking the lambs away. Luckily the lambs had gone before we discovered the weight limit was so low.
We looked into getting a temporary bridge. We could get one delivered to Oban within 5 working days! However it was only guaranteed for 25 years and was more expensive than a bespoke one.
My hope of getting a new bridge in place by Christmas went out of the window. Eventually we agreed with island based TSL Contractors a start date in February and we had a window of just under 3 weeks to get it done.
Farmer had a stressful few weeks juggling weather forecasts and feed and hay delivery dates, hoping for the feed to arrive when it wasnt pouring with rain. The lorries would disgorge their cargo into the walkers quarry on the main road, and Farmer would cart it bit by bit back across the weak old bridge. Thankfully it all worked out fine, but just bringing the hay across took him the best part of the day with a radio that didn't work in the tractor!
The contractors arrived on time and got the job done on time, in spite of horrendous weather and storms. There were a few moments when we wondered whether they would finish on time, when the wrong bolts were sent, or when the cement lorry was delayed, but the guys working on the job were always cheerful and positive about finishing on time, which I appreciated hugely.
Digging out the surface of the old bridge
The timber decking
Waiting for the concrete lorry
The old wall of the original bridge is now exposed
The grid mesh arrives
Will soon be in use
Stage one complete
The girders have been dropped in to place
Positioning them is an exact science
Beginning to deck the bridge
The stones lying on the grass are the coping stones from the wall of the original bridge
Decking done and handrails are bolted down
Concrete ramps can be driven on by cars now - JUST in time for guests arriving at Toechtamhor and East Cottages.
TSL have gone, leaving Farmer to finish off the fencing and gates.
There it is. The finished bridge. (and the reason why the renovations to Studio sunroom have had to be delayed!). Thank you to all at TSL.
