#085

Footpath 151 refers to the name given to the public right of way which constitutes the iron footbridge that traverses the Great Eastern Mainline railway and Ilford traction maintenance depot, to the east of the town centre. For over 70 years it provided a link to the Plessey defence equipment manufaturer at Vicarage Lane and hence is sometimes still called the Plessey Bridge.
Additional Sources:
Ilford Historical Society
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilford_...

[@mikeuk4130]

I'm amazed that this bridge is still in situ. I used to spot trains from a similar bridge, also known as "the Iron Bridge", between Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath stations, in the '60s. This has long since been replaced by a similar structure and the sites of Goodmayes Up and Down Yards redeveloped with housing and retail/commercial buildings respectively. There was a lot of railway history here, all now swept away.

[@IlfordRetro]

Yes, much of the land beside the railways has disappeared for the developments you mention. I never walked over the Chadwell Heath bridge but I'm sure it was a great spotting vantage point.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

I never had occasion to use this bridge in all the years that I lived in Ilford. However, when I moved to Clacton (and later Norfolk) I used to pass under it every day on my daily commute!

[@IlfordRetro]

It's so strange when we pass something local more often once we've moved away from the area!

[@Signals927]

During the war as a kid i used this bridge many times to get to Ss Peter & Paul school from Ley Street where my parents had a Cafe opposite Plessey factory.

[@IlfordRetro]

I can imagine it was a bit daunting as a child to cross it. If and when I use the bridge these days I still see Ss Peter & Paul pupils making that same journey. Your parents café must have been thriving with all the Plessey staff around back then

[@ClydebridgeStation]

As I've mentioned before, GEC plessey made the tdm push pull, and multiple working equipment, installed in the class 86-91 ac electric locomotives, and mk3 mk4 dvts, and retrofitted to the ex Scotrail DBSO, the latter working with 86s on the Liverpool Street to Norwich service!

[@IlfordRetro]

Very informative as always @ClydebridgeStation !

[@junehoward6668]

went across the bridge many of times in the 80s on the way to plesseys gives me Anxiety looking at it now . 😢

[@IlfordRetro]

I know what you mean, June. It can look quite daunting once you get up the top of the stairs. Hopefully your time at Plessey was decent though...

[@rajnirvan3336]

Must check this place upon my next visit

[@IlfordRetro]

it's quite a historic icon

[@SaRa-go6iu]

Careful to go at night tho lol

[@IlfordRetro]

@@SaRa-go6iuGood point!

[@SaRa-go6iu]

Ahhh spent many a day smoking weed here with my friends as a child loooool

[@awsanteina5152]

This bridge is a cotch and a half!

[@SaRa-go6iu]

@@awsanteina5152 haha for real bro.