A bridge too far? Prague railway mission attracts criticism

[ad_1] Rob Cameron Prague Correspondent

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c74f/live/3d6d0b50-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC A green freight train crosses over the Vysehrad railway bridge, driven by a man in hi-vis clothing. In the distance is the River Vltava and a cloudy sky. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> BBC The 123-year previous Vysehrad railway bridge in Prague is about to get replaced and relocated

The Czech capital Prague is considered one of Europe's architectural gems: largely untouched by ten centuries of invasion and warfare, it attracts some 8m vacationers a yr.

It is a dwelling tableau of architectural types; from medieval to Baroque, from industrial to fashionable. So when a Prague landmark is slated for demolition or reconstruction, it invariably arouses robust passions.

"I believe this bridge is completely key to Prague," stated architect and bridge engineer, Petr Tej, working his hand over the rust-coated girders of the 123-year-old Vysehrad railway bridge.

"The panorama it varieties at the side of the Vysehrad fortress behind it's on the identical stage because the panorama of Charles Bridge with Prague Fort. These two panoramas are – for my part – essential to Prague, and we have to protect them," Tej informed the BBC.

Standing on the pedestrian walkway working alongside the rusty metal bridge, we gazed up on the trio of arches which have turn into an iconic characteristic of Prague's southern skyline.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9926/live/330fb180-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Two men face the camera with neutral expressions. One wears a white polo shirt and the other wears heavy-framed black glasses and a black t-shirt and blazer. The Vysehrad railway bridge's arches are in the background. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Architect and bridge engineer, Petr Tej and philantropist, Tomas Bistricky imagine that the bridge might be restored moderately than changed

As we talked a prepare trundled westwards over the river, heading to Prague's Smichov station, and from there onwards to Karlovy Fluctuate, Pilsen or Germany.

"These bits listed here are essentially the most impacted by rust," Petr informed me, pointing at a nest of riveted joints and beams.

Petr is a part of the Vysehrad Bridge Basis, a global coalition of consultants who've restored related metal bridges world wide – a few of them in a lot worse form than this one.

They are saying the Railway Authority's plan to dismantle this iconic industrial landmark – erected in 1902 throughout the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire - is completely pointless.

"Earlier knowledgeable studies stated 70% of the metal needs to be changed. Our research says it is solely 15%. It is an enormous distinction."

The Basis's proposal is straightforward: restore the bridge in place, hold the trains working, minimising disruption, and get monetary savings within the course of.

Earlier this yr their findings have been endorsed by Unesco, which protects a lot of the historic centre of Prague. They're additionally backed by over 25,000 residents who've signed a petition demanding the Vysehrad bridge be restored moderately than changed.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9706/live/6c5233a0-5d87-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Pavel Paidar is standing next to the Vltava River in Prague wearing a light suit and orange tie. The Vysehrad railway bridge runs over his head." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Pavel Paidar of the Railway Authority in Prague says that the bridge will be unable to deal with the anticipated progress in rail journey

A short time later, within the shade of the metallic girders, the Director of the Railway Authority's Development Preparation Division Pavel Paidar shook his head in disagreement.

"This bridge already handles round three-quarters of Prague's railway visitors. It might deal with extra, however due to the corrosion, it may solely carry about 60% of its capability," Paidar informed the BBC.

"With the projected progress in rail journey, that is going to be a serious transport downside. Sure, it is a protected historic monument, but it surely's turning into more and more clear that it is merely not doable to reconcile these two issues – transport wants and heritage preservation."

The brand new bridge would come with a 3rd monitor and, in keeping with visualisations, will likely be a good tribute to the unique. The entire space will likely be revitalised, and transport hyperlinks from Prague's essential station to the west of the nation and past will likely be improved.

The previous bridge, in the meantime, will likely be dismantled and moved about 8km (5 miles) south to the district of Modrany, to start out a brand new life as a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/13e3/live/b633aa20-5d88-11f0-a6b8-21ace6496903.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sprava zeleznic ('Railway Authority) An architectural visualisation showing the proposed replacement bridge spanning the River Vltava in Prague . Like the original it is a bronze colour and has three large arches on either side of the bridge. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Sprava zeleznic ('Railway Authority) Architectural visualisations present the substitute bridge drawing inspiration from the unique

That concept too, nevertheless, has been criticised by campaigners. The River Vltava at Modrany is about half as broad as within the metropolis centre. An city railway bridge, they are saying, will look utterly misplaced plonked down in the course of a meadow.

"There is a mistaken notion that there are two conflicting pursuits at play right here — transport and defending our cultural heritage," stated Tomas Bistricky, philanthropist and co-founder of the Vysehrad Bridge Basis, which proposes a second, slender bridge alongside the unique to offer the third monitor.

"However our research reveals there's really no battle in any respect; quite the opposite, these two issues assist one another."

It is an age-old dilemma: to tear down within the title of modernity, or to protect within the title of custom. It arouses significantly robust feelings in a metropolis which prides itself on its architectural conservation.

In the end, and maybe sooner moderately than later, it is one which must be determined not by railway engineers or heritage campaigners, however by the Czech authorities.