AVENHAM, PRESTON

 A BRIDGE TOO FAR  5 Miles

BRIDGERS :-  John, Anthony, Danny.....Dave.....Mike.

After parking the car at the "Park & Ride" we set off to see how the new Tram Bridge was progressing.

We had to make our way through an industrial estate to begin with as the track was flooded and barely passable.

Any dip in the track presented difficulties.

Overcoming them was not, however, too difficult.

How wonderful........ A DOUBLE DANNY 😀

Soon after the bridge shown in the photograph we had planned a right turn to reach the river bank and follow it to the Tram Bridge site. BUT NO ! the route was closed. Our planned 3 mile walk was beginning to look rather unlikely.

As you can see we were still some distance from the riverside footpath which can be seen across the sodden fields.

The fields were sodden with agricultural machinery "Abandoned" by the edge

The wide lane ended at the "Waste water" treatment plant. (Sewage) Here we had to take to a narrow footpath. As we were unencumbered by wheelchairs or prams we "Ploughed" on.

There were "Keep out" signs but we had no desire to enter the Sewage works.

The footpath continued with a series of large and sometimes deep "puddles".

Then we came to a wooden staircase rising up to Tram Road.

 

At the top of the stairs was one of the gentlemen working on the new Tram Bridge.

He explained that the Old bridge had been removed and the first of four supports had been planted in the river bed.

Work would soon be suspended and started again in the new year with the hope that the New Bridge would be completed by the end of 2025.

As the Tram Road was fenced off we decided to do a short detour and sit for a nostalgic few minutes visiting the sports fields where John and Anthony displayed their sporting prowess (or more likely lack of it)

Now long gone this road led to VERNON CARRUS  who manufactured medical supplies (bandages etc.) part of the sports fields (cricket) belonged to them, The company still operates in another part of Preston.

Cold, wet, muddy, winter afternoons came to mind as young grammar school boys were obliged to chase a "Fifties" leather case-balls across those freezing acres on pain of physical punishment. When wet, such balls were life-threatening. It took a brave lad to head one.

We returned to the fenced off Tram bridge then followed a footpath across to an embankment which had once carried the East Lancashire  line (I was told)

out of Preston and across the River Ribble and off to the Blackburn and Burnley area and beyond.

 A strange "Sculpture" caught our attention.

After 65 years much of the paths we trod as teenagers had changed completely.

A wayside sculpture telling us........ erm............. WHAT ?

As we arrived at the old railway bridge the work site at Tram Bridge could be seen in the distance.

As we crossed the bridge the distinct outline of the Park Hotel loomed above us.

On the bridge itself the love locks seem to have increased since our last visit.

Some consider them to be tasteless. I myself find them rather charmingly amusing and harmless. No accounting for taste though.

Danny looks up the river where the first bridge support has been placed Below him the river was boiling it's way under the bridge and with a forecast of VERY  heavy rain still to come, flooding was a very real threat.

And so down to the cafe where Dave, who lives quite near, was there to greet us. He had recently turned 80 and as a celebration he had already left a tab at the counter to pay for all our lunches. Thank you very much Dave !

Mike, who had been unable to join us at the start, arrived quite soon after to join us as well.

We had and enjoyable hour chatting and laughing before parting to go our separate ways. Mike accompanied Dave towards his home whilst the rest of us continued through the park and along the Boulevard to finish our walk.

As we passed the northern end of the new bridge build we could see the support already planted on the river bed.

I don't think even a bike would get you to Bamber bridge if you follow the direction the signpost suggests.

The park path rises up to continue along the Boulevard.

Once we were on the Boulevard  a post tells us we have finished the first mile of the Guild Wheel from its start in Avenham Park.

As we approached London Rd. Bridge the name ALFRED HITCHCOCK sprang to mind.

So........ across London Road bridge and a steady trudge through increasingly inclement weather ( Wet   Wet   Wet ) back to the car and home.

Here's to the next walk

JW

Don't forget. Comments about this blog either good or bad can be emailed to John W at the email address at the top of the page.