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Friday 3 Mar 2017

Bristol residents invited to find out more about Stapleton Road viaduct upgrade work

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents near Fox Park in Easton, Bristol, have been invited to a drop-in event next Monday to find out more about upcoming works to upgrade the Stapleton Road viaduct.

The viaduct has reached the end of its design life and must be replaced. To undertake this work, the cycle path and footway through Fox Park will be closed from Tuesday 28 February with diversionary routes via Stapleton Road in place until 30 November 2018.

The closure of part of Stapleton Road will be necessary at regular intervals during the 18 month programme of works, but the majority of closures will take place at weekends, between 10pm and 6am. However, the road will be closed during the same hours every night between Saturday 18th and Saturday 25 March, to accommodate the removal of ballast. Advance notice will be given ahead of any other closures of the road during the works.

Between now and July 2017, Network Rail’s orange army will be working in Fox Park underneath the viaduct to prepare the site. This involves removing vegetation and knotweed, as well as general rubbish on the site.

The viaduct will then be demolished in July 2017 and a new structure erected in its place. All works are due for completion in the autumn of 2018, when the park will be fully reinstated.

The new structure will bring benefits for passengers with the addition of two extra lines, necessary to support the Filton Bank four-tracking project, which will allow an increase in train services to meet expected passenger growth expectations. These additional lines will also help to reduce disruption to rail services caused by maintenance and pave the way for future electrification of the line.

Notification letters have been distributed to residents living in the vicinity of these works and the project team welcome any questions that residents may have about the work.

Mark Langman, Network Rail’s managing director for the Western route, said: “I’d like to thank residents and passengers in advance for their patience as we undertake these essential works as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“This drop-in session will provide a great opportunity for residents to learn more about the works taking place and we urge anyone who has any questions or would like more information to come along.”

The drop-in event will take place on Monday 6 March from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at Cafe Connect, 116 St Mark's Road, Bristol, BS5 6JD.

Network Rail’s 24/7 helpline is available on 03457 11 41 41, and more information on this work can be found at networkrail.co.uk.

ENDS