Adamswell Railway bridge, which is located on Broom Lane, Tunbridge Wells, was constructed in 1890. As the bridge is over 135 years old, it has come to the end of its serviceable life.
The bridge is owned and maintained by the charity‑run Spa Valley Railway, and East Sussex Highways have recently helped support important improvements on the bridge.
While the bridge works themselves were led by the railway, our team stepped in to offer support where it could make a real difference. Colleagues provided advice to make sure the bridge works sat safely alongside the public highway, helped organise the temporary use of the road during the works, and arranged for new height‑restriction signs to be installed to help protect the bridge in the future.
What makes this project particularly special is the way it was supported. Many East Sussex Highways staff volunteered their own time to assist the railway, sharing their knowledge and experience to help a local heritage organisation succeed. By giving their time freely, the team helped reduce costs for the charity, delivering real social value for the community.
The project shows how collaboration, goodwill and volunteering can help protect local heritage, improve safety for road users, and support organisations that play an important role in Sussex life.