When I arrived at Victoria bridge I thought that somebody

had been vandalising it with what appeared to be paint marks the length of the brickwork. On closer inspection, I realised that they were markings applied as part of a bridge inspection identifying some degradation of the structure. By far the worst is shown in this image with some severe cracks on the mortar and the whole section developing quite a lean. I suspect that the bridge, which is one of my favourite haunts, will undergo some repair work. In addition to this survey work, a huge area of ivy had been removed from the other end of the bridge. The main trunk of the invasive and destructive plant was lying on the embankment below and pretty substantial it was too!