Update on railway works

Network Rail have written to Westerleigh councillor Claire Young with an update on their works on Halfpenny Bridge.

The project was delayed to carry out a full structural survey, because they will be removing 2.5 tonnes of metal and replacing it with 3.5 tonnes. They are now ready to start again and have applied for a footpath closure from mid-July to mid-August. However, as originally planned, they will only be working on Saturday nights, so the bridge will be open to pedestrians at other times.

Elsewhere, electrification works will require the temporary diversion of the Frome Valley Walkway at Old Sodbury. Network Rail will be replacing an aqueduct with a new and raised structure.  The Frome Valley Walkway will be closed between Badminton Road and Chapel Lane for the duration of the works (1st August 2016 to 31 March  2017 approximately) with a temporary diversion routing pedestrians along the footpaths on Badminton Road and Chapel Lane.

Earlier in the week there were problems with the diversion for the Dodington Road bridge works, but following the intervention of Focus Team members this appears to have been resolved.

On Thursday Claire met a Network Rail representative to discuss the visual impact of the electrification works on the viaducts and the landscape of the Frome Valley. We'll update you when we have more information.