Media centre

Friday 23 Apr 2004

MORE THAN £1 MILLION SPENT ON RAIL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has spent £1.2 million on improving the stability of a railway cutting in an area notorious for landslips. Last winter, there were six landslips at Flax Bourton, near Long Ashton, Somerset, each causing the line to be closed while debris was cleared, and adversely affecting rail services. Work carried out recently involved regrading the side of the cutting next to the main Bristol/West of England line to stabilise the bank, and putting up a retaining wall at the bottom. To access the site, Network Rail contractors had to reach the mainline behind Fenhurst Gardens, inevitably causing some disruption and inconvenience to local residents.  “However, we liaised very closely with the residents who were generally helpful and co-operative about the work which was going on,” said Scott Pillinger, Network Rail Project Manager. Following consultation with the residents and a detailed risk assessment, a new standard of fencing was installed at the top of the railway cutting. The new fence is lower and more attractive than the conventional 6ft high palisade fencing, which is Network Rail’s standard for higher risk areas. Network Rail is also delivering several tonnes of top soil to cover a small area compacted by heavy machinery, which a group of residents can now plant up. -more- Safety – 2 Scott said: “We felt this project went very well in that we were able to carry out essential stabilisation work and at the same time assist residents by authorising the use of a designated area of Network Rail’s land as garden.”