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Written by Dr. John Binch - 18 Jun 2008
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Location notes
The footbridge is located immediately South of Dorridge Railway Station in the West Midlands.The nearest city is Birmingham.
Railway type and traffic
The footbridge crosses the Birmingham Snow Hill to Leaminghton Spa mainline. Passenger services are provided by London Midland on the Worcester to Leamington Spa corridor and also by Chiltern Railways on the Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone route. Both of these services stop at Dorridge station.
Since 28 April 2008, the Wrexham and Shropshire Railway service between Wrexham and London Marylebone passes through Dorridge, but does not stop at the station.
Certain Arriva Cross-Country services use the route on their way to and from the South coast.
Several daily freight services use the route including intermodal, departmantal and bitumen traffic to and from Southampton and points in the South.
Environment
The footbridge is in a pleasant suburban environment. The path is used mainly by dog walkers.
West Close is lit by street lights but there is no lighting available on the footbridge itself.
Road directions
From Dorridge railway station go uphill and turn into Dorridge Road. Then, turn right into Weston Close and follow the road round.
The footbridge is accessable via a path on the left between some trees.

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Dorridge, West Close Footbridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Limited parking is available on West Close. However, it is advisable to use the car park at Dorridge railway station which is under a 5 minute walk away.
Public transport
There is a regular train service to Dorridge from Worcester and Kidderminster (via Birmingham Snow Hill.) The station is also served by trains from Leamington Spa, Banbury and London Marylebone in the South.
Buses 40A, 40C and 150 (Travel West Midlands) operate between Solihul and Dorridge railway stations.

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Amenities
The nearest toilets are located at Dorridge railway station. There is a fish and chip shop opposite the railway station. Takeaways, shops and pubs are available in the village.
Accommodation
The nearest hotel is:
The Forest Hotel,
25 Station Approach,
Dorridge,
B93 8JA
(Tel: 01564 772 120.)
Accommodation is also available to suit most budgets in Birmingham (25 minutes away by train.)
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dorridge, West Close Footbridge

Googly map
Streetmap links
Dorridge, West Close Footbridge general view map
Dorridge, West Close Footbridge close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dorridge, West Close Footbridge



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Photographic notes
The railway line runs roughly in a North West to South East direction. While trees are visible on both sides of the line, the location allows plenty of light. Therefore, provided the sun is taken into account, good shots can be obtained in both directions. However, shots of northbound trains are better in the evening.
Looking North West, good views of the station with the 4-tracks curving round can be obtained.
From the South East, the line is relatively straight and excellent shots of trains crossing tracks are availble.
Colour light signals warn of approaching trains in both directions on the mainline, although not of trains using the station avoiding line in the down (Birmingham) direction.


General views - All photographs © Dr. John Binch unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north west


Fig 1 - Looking north west

EWS Class 66/0 no. 66183 trundles through Dorridge on the evening of Monday 19 May 2008, with the late running 1333 (4O21) Hams Hall to Eastleigh Yard intermodal service.

Fig 2 - Looking north west


Fig 2 - Looking north west

London Midland Class 150/2 unit no. 150214 and Class 150/1 unit no. 150101 pull away from the former Great Western Railway Dorridge station on Monday 19 May 2008, with the 1800 Kidderminster to Leamington Spa service.

Fig 3 - Looking south east


Fig 3 - Looking south east

One freight flow that receives little attention these days is bitumen traffic from the refinery at Fawley near Southampton. On the evening of Monday 19 May 2008, Class 66/0 no. 66111 (affectionately known as 'Nelson') approaches Dorridge with the 1404 (6M23) Fawley to Bromford Bridge loaded tanks.

Fig 4 - Looking south east


Fig 4 - Looking south east

On Monday 19 May 2008, Class 66/0 no. 66059 powers the 1410 (6M58) Southampton Western Docks to Bescot Ford vehicles train through Dorridge. This is a member of a pool of five locomotives (66055 – 9) that are used for banking duties on the Lickey incline. They are easily distinguished by the additional spot light below the cab windows.

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