Media centre

Thursday 29 Oct 2015

Newport residents reminded of road closure as Network Rail carries out electrification work to improve rail journeys in South Wales

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Newport residents are reminded that Somerton Road bridge will be closing to vehicles to allow for the electrification of the railway between London and Swansea.

Electrification will provide faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for tens of thousands of passengers every day. 

It will also help stimulate economic growth by better connecting towns and cities in South Wales and beyond. Journeys from Newport to London could be reduced by up to 15 minutes, helping the city continue to attract high value inward investment.

In order to accommodate the overhead lines which will power the electric trains, some road, foot and rail bridges that span the South Wales Mainline will need to be raised, either by amending the existing structure or demolishing the existing bridge and building a new structure in its place.

Somerton Road bridge dates back to 1850 and the ageing structure will be replaced with a new and improved bridge with a wider footpath.

The bridge will close to vehicles from Monday 2 November, but will remain open to pedestrians until further notice.

Network Rail is working with third party land owners and Newport City Council to provide alternative access over the railway when the bridge closes to pedestrians later this year. A number of options are being looked at, including whether a temporary service bridge which will carry the utilities buried in the bridge, can safely serve as a pedestrian footbridge.

Andrew Griffiths, development manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “Electrification will mean less noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line in and around Newport. The increasing numbers of passengers using the railway will also benefit from more frequent, faster and quieter services once this programme of work is completed as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“In order to prepare the railway for the overhead lines which will power electric trains, we need to reconstruct Somerton Road bridge with a new and improved structure.

“The bridge will close to vehicles from Monday, but remain open to pedestrians until later this year while we discuss with third party land owners and Newport City Council how we can provide safe pedestrian access over the railway during the project.

“I would like to apologise in advance for any disruption this work will cause and encourage Somerton residents to come along to our drop-in event to find out more about the project and the long-term benefits electrification will bring to residents and passengers in South Wales.”

Network Rail has worked closely with Newport City Council on an appropriate diversion route to ensure disruption is minimised as much as possible.

Members of the public who would like to discuss the project in detail are invited to attend a second information drop-in event on Monday 9 November at Liswerry Baptist Church, Camperdown Road, Newport, NP19 0JF.  Staff from the project team will be on hand between 3.30pm – 6.30pm and residents are encouraged to drop by at any time, no appointment is necessary.

The bulk of work will take place over the Christmas period this year when the bridge is set to be demolished and a new deck installed. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2016.

The electrification project is taking a phased approach to minimise disruption to communities, with work moving from east to west and the project is being carefully planned so that work is staggered to eliminate the chances of neighbouring bridges being closed at the same time.

Anyone who would like further information can call Network Rail’s 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email CRWales@networkrail.co.uk.