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Tuesday 2 Feb 2016

Residents invited to drop-in event about electrification work at Dragon Road bridge in Winterbourne

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Winterbourne residents are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about work that will soon be taking place to prepare Dragon Road bridge for the arrival of a new fleet of electric trains.

The event will take place on Tuesday 9 February from 6.30pm to 9pm at the Winterbourne Methodist Church on Down Road. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand throughout to explain more about the plans and to answer any questions.

As part of the company’s Railway Upgrade Plan, Network Rail’s orange army will be raising the height of the sides of this bridge and installing anti-climb coping stones. This improvement work will provide a barrier between the bridge’s users and the overhead high voltage electrification lines that are required to power the new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains to run underneath.

As the land on one side of the bridge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the team will not be able to work from scaffolding in this area and so a temporary road closure is required to carry out the upgrade. The bridge will therefore be closed to motorists from 9.30am on Monday 29 February until the end of April. Throughout this time, access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “I’d like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry out this improvement work. All are welcome at our drop-in event and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about our plans, or has a question they’d like answered, to come along.

“The work at Dragon Road bridge is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will pave the way for electrification and the benefits this will bring for residents. These benefits include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, and less noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

The diversionary route for motorists during the temporary closure is: Harcombe Hill - Hicks Common Road - Flaxpits Lane.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Great Western 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.

For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/

Members of the public who have questions about the work can call Network Rail’s 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.