Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4759 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07tmmwy/the-severn-bridge-at-50-
a-high-wire-act

Available for 29 days with some good shots of the old ferries.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Peter_L · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:50 pm Post subject:

The UK has quite the history of bridge building and it continues. I have seen so many of them over the years. When I lived in Barnsley, I made several trips to watch construction of the Humber Bridge.

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Thanks for that, but unfortunately I can't watch it!
Whilst I was away in France they've made it necessary to have a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer!
As I haven't got a TV, I'm not buying a licence. Meanies!

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:46 pm Post subject:

47Jag · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:57 pm Post subject:

BB,

At renewal time you tell 'them' you are now 75 and they give you a refund from your birthday to renewal date.

Art

Peter_L · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:07 pm Post subject:

Nothing to do with the Severn Bridge, or any other bridge for that matter, but having had 50+ years of the BBC in the UK and 15 Years of US and Canadian TV. I would love to be able to pay the licence fee and get rid of the 400 channels of &^&*&%%.. with adverts every 7 minutes. 15 minutes of TV shows that fill an hour of viewing. Seldom we watch anything live, we use the PVR.

on the subject of bridges, does anyone remember the Wentbridge viaduct being built (A1). It was a popular location to go with Mum and Dad on a Sunday.

mikeC · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:54 pm Post subject:

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:50 pm Post subject:

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4759 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
I just bought one to cover me until my 75th in Feb. First licence for about35yrs.
They asked for my NI number and then just charged me for the relevant period
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

I "lied" about my licence and it worked! Now I'll wait for the licence police to knock on my door.
Great programme, too. Very Happy

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:56 am Post subject:

Bumping this thread due to something I've just read. We all know that when the Severn bridge opened the ferries stopped operating, but does anyone remember the motorail - type* services taking cars through the Severn tunnel? Apparently it ceased operating, like the ferries, when the bridge opened. I first heard about it many years ago when one of the teachers at school was reminiscing and have come across a few passing references in print since then, but no detail at all.

*I say motorail - type as the name, apparently, wasn't coined until a few years after this particular service ended, but you'll know what I mean.

Peter_L · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 12:53 pm Post subject:

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4759 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
The severn tunnel operation was a car shuttle. Introduced in the 20"s by GWR.
I can't do the link on this tablet but google car shuttle wiki instead of Motorail.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2472 Location: South Cheshire

I watched this programme a couple of weeks ago, very interesting. I hadn't realised for example that the road bed is made of sections of hollow steel, and engineers can climb into the hollow section and walk along inside the section, which they regularly do to inspect for cracking, rust and so on.