Friday 18 Jul 2014
Dauntsey Lock and Ladbrook Lane bridges are reopened to the public
- Region & Route:
- | Wales & Western: Western
- | Wales & Western
Two bridges over the railway at Dauntsey Lock and Ladbrook Lane have reopened to the public today, Friday 18 July, after work on both bridges was completed ahead of schedule.
The reconstruction of the bridges is an essential part of Network Rail’s electrification programme to enable a new fleet of longer, faster and greener electric trains to serve commuters in Wiltshire travelling on the route from Cardiff to London. The rebuilt bridges are now higher, creating the additional space needed for the overhead lines which will power the trains to run underneath.
Network Rail is aware of the disruption this work has caused to local residents and worked hard to ensure that both reconstructions were completed as soon as possible. As a result, Dauntsey Lock bridge has reopened three weeks ahead of schedule and Ladbrook Lane bridge one week ahead of schedule.
Nigel Fenn, senior programme manager for Network Rail, said: “Significant work was required on these bridges in order to prepare them for electrification and the benefits this will bring, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their patience.
“We understood that the temporary closure of the bridges inconvenienced local residents and businesses and so my team worked hard to complete the work in as short a timeframe as possible, leading to both bridges reopening ahead of schedule.”
Gordon Clark, a local resident who has lived adjacent to Ladbrook Lane bridge since 1971, said: “The appearance is elegant from our dining room window; not the old bridge that my children grew up with but one that will last twice that time or more, having noted some of the materials put into its construction.
“I hope all who have worked on this project are proud of what has been constructed and that it will mellow into the scenery over the next few years, although it won't have the old steam engine smoke to help.”
Notes to editors
About the Electrification Programme:
Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.
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