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Wednesday 28 Sep 2022

Safety improvements in Bath protect both the railway and a bit of history

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has completed essential safety improvement work to the iconic low balustrade wall at Sydney Gardens in Bath, including the installation of railings to prevent trespassers from being able to gain access to the track.

The wall itself was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel as a feature of the railway line, which cut through Sydney Gardens in the 1840s. With its low profile, Network Rail worked to find a suitable solution to protect the railway line from trespassers while balancing the history and character of the structure.

The wall, which runs along the western side of the railway on the approach to Bath Spa station, is part of a group of structures within Sydney Gardens that are covered by a Grade II* listing.

The work required Listed Building Consent and the close cooperation of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s conservation officers to ensure the architecture and surrounding area were treated sympathetically and with respect, owing to the area’s designation as a site of important historical interest. Historic England were also involved with the design and oversight, working to confirm that the safety measures would preserve both the character and appearance of the balustrade wall while maintaining the safety of the railway.

Sydney Gardens is on Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, reflecting the historical importance of the site, the only surviving example of a ‘pleasure garden’ in Bath and the largest outside of London. Pleasure gardens were popular in the 17^th and 18^th centuries as places of recreation and entertainment – Sydney Gardens, created in 1795, is said to have counted Jane Austen as a regular visitor.

While working in Sydney Gardens, Network Rail also carried out emergency repair work on Brunel’s only remaining cast iron footbridge. Vegetation that had been disturbing the masonry was removed and a specialist stonemason was contracted to work with the Bath stone, which was carefully repaired using hand tools before being put back into place.

Colin Field, Network Rail’s town planning and heritage manager said: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to design and complete a solution that enhances the safety of the railway line and protects visitors to the Gardens, while maintaining the historic architecture of Brunel’s balustrade wall.

“We’ve worked in close partnership with the council’s conservation officers and Historic England to realise this work, which included vegetation removal to improve the views across the park and keep passing trains safe from leaves and branches. Brunel intended for the railway to become a feature within the Gardens in its own right, and we’ve worked to respect that aspiration and stay true to his vision.

“Visitors will be able to safely enjoy the sight of trains travelling through the historic Gardens while the railway is protected from any trespassers, which is a win for everybody.”

Keith Rowe, Bath and North East Somerset Council's Sydney Gardens project manager said: “The completion of the work to the railings through Sydney Gardens is extremely timely and has dovetailed nicely with the wider restoration of park.

"The National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council have contributed over £3m to conserve and rejuvenate the former 18^th century pleasure gardens. It is great to bring visitors back to the railway line and see the trains very close up. We are also very grateful to Network Rail for funding the new railway path as part of their work to reinstate the ground at the end of their works. It is all looking excellent and demonstrates the value of good partnership working."

Simon Hickman, development advice team leader at Historic England said: “Brunel designed the Great Western Railway as it bisects Sydney Gardens as a place where the public could appreciate and enjoy the passage of his trains. We’re delighted to have worked with Network Rail designing a safe, but sympathetic, means of allowing Brunel’s vision to continue.”

To keep up to date with this autumn’s calendar of events at Sydney Gardens, visit Bath and North East Somerset Council’s dedicated webpage.