Media centre

Wednesday 6 Jul 2016

Somerton Road Bridge reopens following electrification work to improve rail journeys in South Wales

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Somerton Road Bridge in Newport reopened to motorists and pedestrians yesterday evening (Tuesday, 5 July).

The reconstruction of Somerton Road Bridge began in autumn last year as part of the work to electrify the South Wales Mainline, a major part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to deliver a bigger, better railway for passengers.

The ageing structure which dated back to 1850 has been replaced with a new and improved bridge which will accommodate the new fleet of electric trains as well as providing a wider footpath for pedestrians and cyclists and a straighter road alignment.

Electrification of the railway line will provide faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for tens of thousands of passengers every day, better connecting South Wales and improving links to London.

Karl Gilmore, programme manager for Network Rail Wales said: “We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we carried out this essential upgrade work as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to deliver a bigger, better railway for passengers.”

Upgrade work now progresses at Bridge Street Road Bridge, with a critical milestone of the project to replace the old structure taking place this weekend when the main span of the existing bridge will be removed.