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Written by Vince - 14 Dec 2003
last update by Mark Bearton - 06 Mar 2009
and by Brian Elliott - 18 Jul 2013
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Location notes
A footbridge situated on the main line between Derby and Birmingham, just to the north of Central Rivers depot.
Railway type and traffic
Cross Country workings from Derby to Birmingham, East Midlands Trains operate services from Derby to Birmingham.
Freight services mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner.
Serco test trains and movements from Brush works to the West coast will also often pass here.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Barton Under Needwood
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
The footbridge is on a foot path that used to run across open fields, but the building of the LH Group and the Graycar Business Park this was rerouted. It is a very sparsley used park and is tucked 'out of the way' behind the industrial estate. You are only likely to encounter walkers.
Road directions
From the southbound carriageway of the A38, between Burton upon Trent and Lichfield, park in the Travelodge/Little Chef car park just after Burton.
From here turn right out of the car park and walk along the A34 roadside towards Burton on Trent/Derby. The grass verge is quite wide. When you have passed about half of the industrial estate complex, there is a small style in the hedge. This is a public footpath, although it was somewhat overgrown at the time of updating (03/09). Follow the path around the edge of the industrial estate towards the railway. You will pass through the grounds of the LH Group Services, there are often small, shunter sized, locos and road rail vehicles in the car park!
When the foot path reaches the railway you will see a green footbridge which is ideal for photography.

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Barton Under Needwood map co-ordinates
Parking
There is parking in the Travelodge / Little Chef car park.
Public transport
Arriva service 112 operates hourly between Birmingham and Burton via Lichfield along the A38 with stops on the main road.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Nothing available at the location.
Accommodation
Plenty available at the Burton-on-Trent Travelodge.
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.
Barton Under Needwood

Googly map
Streetmap links
Barton Under Needwood general view map
Barton Under Needwood close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barton Under Needwood



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Photographic notes
The country side of the bridge is ideal for photographing towards Burton during the morning/early afternoon; whereas the industrial estate side is idea in the afternoon towards Burton. Looking towards Birmingham in the sunlight provides poor photos, however on cloudy days, good photos can be obtained.
There is often noise from the industrial unit next to the location which would interfere with sound recordings.


General views - All photographs © Vince unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east

This north easterly wide view show the Drakelow power station in the background. Trains can be seen aproaching for quite some distance.

Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking north east

A tighter version of fig 1.

Fig 3 - Looking north east


Fig 3 - Looking north east

Same location / direction as fig 2 but from the opposite side of the bridge

Fig 4 - Looking south west


Fig 4 - Looking south west

Reverse angle of the above figs. this view shows the B5016 road in the background

Fig 5 - Looking south west



Fig 5 - Looking south west

Same location / direction as fig 3 but from the opposite side of the bridge.

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