Today we heard that a criminal case has been launched in Murmansk after suspected thieves made off with a disused railway bridge.

The perpetrators apparently removed the central span of the bridge which measured 23m in length and weighed in at 56 tons.

You’d have thought that someone dismantling the bridge might have been spotted, but residents say they first noticed that that the central structure was missing last month. The fact that a large chunk can be seen resting in the middle of the river suggests that the structure was first brought down and then dismantled piecemeal.

In spite of the spectacular nature of the theft, it is estimated that the damage amounts to only about $9000.

The theft of metal objects by thieves interested in their scrap value has long been a problem in Russia.

In 2017, a 10m-long Soviet-era anti-aircraft missile exploded at a recycling centre, apparently after being sold for scrap.

Being a Tuesday, Margaret Mills was with us and took as her subject today KELVEDON HALL.

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say about this building and its occupants over the years: –

See you again next week,
Scott